Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a registered sex offender who allegedly possessed child pornography.
Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives received information that Thomas Rix, 57, uploaded possible child pornography to a social media page. On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, sheriff’s detectives attempted to locate Rix at a home in the block of 100 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, where he was registered to be living as a sex offender. Detectives learned that Rix was not living there. Sheriff’s detectives learned about a week prior, he registered a new address in the 1600 block of 2nd Avenue, Winthrop Harbor, as his residence.
Contact was made with Rix, and he agreed to meet with detectives at the Winthrop Harbor Police Department. During a conversation with Rix, he informed detectives he had actually been living in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for several days and he was not living in Winthrop Harbor, contrary to where he had registered to live.
Members of the Illinois Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit, who were on scene assisting, conducted an analysis of Rix’ cellular phone. The analysis allegedly revealed multiple images that Rix appeared to have taken of a girl under the age of 8. Some of the images were of the girl in her underwear, and at least one contained a pornographic image of the girl.
Sheriff’s detectives determined Rix knew the little girl from when he lived at a previous apartment in Winthrop Harbor, and he took the photographs at that time.
Investigators are seeking search warrants to conduct additional analysis on other electronics possessed by Rix.
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charge of child pornography against Rix. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Rix in jail while awaiting trial. The petition was granted by a Lake County Judge during a detention hearing which occurred this afternoon.
“Fortunately, it appears sheriff’s detectives were able to stop this man before he committed a further horrific act on the young girl whose photos he had. The members of our office will tirelessly investigate and arrest those who prey on our children. We will always be relentless in our pursuit of justice, especially when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children.”
— Sheriff John D. Idleburg
Rix is next due in court on October 23, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom T020.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and Winthrop Harbor Police Department for their assistance.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
— Lake County Sheriff’s Office
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