Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a Zion man for allegedly possessing dozens of videos and images of child pornography.
Lake County Sheriff’s detectives conducted an investigation after learning images and videos containing child pornography were being downloaded at a residence in the 2300 block of Joppa Avenue, Zion. Sheriff’s detectives determined an individual was also saving the harmful videos and images to a cloud storage account. After obtaining enough information, sheriff’s detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for the home.
On Tuesday July 2, 2024, sheriff’s detectives and members of the Illinois Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit conducted a search warrant at the residence. Sheriff’s detectives determined Christopher J. Abernathy, 37, of the residence, was responsible for downloading and saving the child pornography images and videos.
Digital Forensic Examiners with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office conducted an analysis on Abernathy’s electronic devices, which revealed dozens of videos with children as young as infants being sexually assaulted.
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved three counts of possession of child pornography (class 2 felonies). Additional charges are possible.
Abernathy remains held in the Lake County Jail pending First Appearance Court this morning (Wednesday, July 3, 2024). The state’s attorney’s office is filing a petition to detain Abernathy in custody while he is awaiting trial.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “We continue to increase our resources devoted to investigating and arresting those engaged in child abuse. Whether it be sexual abuse or physical abuse, we are going to do everything we can to keep our children safe from predators.”
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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