|
 Earlier today, Madigan’s investigators and the Vandalia Police
Department arrested Ryan J. Koontz, 34, after executing a search
warrant at his Vandalia home in the 500 block of South Cypress
Street. Koontz was charged in Fayette County with two counts of
distribution of child pornography, a Class X felony punishable by
six to 30 years in prison, and eight counts of possession of child
pornography, a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in
prison. Bond was set Wednesday at $300,000.
On Tuesday, Christopher L. Cook, 26, was arrested after
investigators with Madigan’s office and the Vandalia Police
Department executed a search warrant at his Centralia home in the
600 block of North Walnut Street. Cook was charged in Marion County
with five counts of distribution of child pornography, a Class X
felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison, and nine counts of
possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony punishable by
three to seven years in prison. Bond was set Wednesday at $150,000.
 “Online child pornography is a horrific crime that victimizes
children each time an image is downloaded or traded,” Madigan said.
“My office will continue to be relentless in tracking down and
apprehending offenders who trade these horrific videos.”
The arrests bring to a total of 73 for Operation Glass House, which
Madigan launched in 2010 to investigate and arrest offenders trading
child pornography online. The operation’s investigations are
conducted by Madigan’s High Tech Crimes Bureau and have revealed a
disturbing community of criminals who are trading and viewing
extremely violent videos of children as young as infants being raped
and abused.
Today’s operation was assisted by the Vandalia Police Department,
and the Fayette County State’s Attorney’s Office will prosecute the
case.
“We’re happy to be a part of the Attorney General’s operation to get
offenders like this off the streets,” said Fayette County State’s
Attorney Joshua Morrison. “We thank the Attorney General’s Office
for their assistance and hope to partner together on future
investigations.”
“I’m grateful for the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office
and look forward to working with the office on future
investigations,” said Vandalia Police Chief Jeff Ray.
[to top of second column] |
Tuesday’s operation was assisted by the Centralia Police Department,
and the Marion County State’s Attorney’s Office will prosecute the
case.
“We were pleased to work with the Attorney General’s High Tech
Crimes Bureau. They completed a thorough investigation, and we will
prosecute this offender to the full extent of the law,” said Marion
County State’s Attorney Matthew Wilzbach.
“The Centralia Police Department is pleased that we could assist the
Attorney General’s Office in the apprehension of a person involved
with the distribution of child pornography,” said Centralia Police
Chief Doug Krutsinger. “The Attorney General’s High Tech Crimes
Bureau utilized Centralia’s police facility to investigate
Christopher L. Cook and later arrest Cook on fourteen counts of
child porn possession. The Centralia Police Department appreciates
the efforts of the Attorney General’s Office to keep the Centralia
area free from child pornography.”
In addition to Operation Glass House, Madigan leads the Illinois
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) with a grant from
the U.S. Department of Justice. The Task Force investigates child
exploitation crimes and trains local and county level law
enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to do the same. Since 2006,
Madigan’s ICAC task force has been involved in 855 arrests of sexual
predators. The task force has also provided Internet safety training
and education to more than 389,000 parents, teachers and students
and more than 18,300 law enforcement professionals.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until
proven guilty in a court of law.
[Illinois Attorney General Lisa
Madigan]
 |
