A 49-year-old DuPage County man is in custody and facing multiple child pornography charges as a result of an investigation by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensic Investigation Unit and DuPage County prosecutors.
The suspect, who lives in unincorporated DuPage County near Darien, is being held on $150,000 bond following a bond hearing Wednesday.
Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence on Wednesday, following an internet investigation into the possession and distribution of child pornography files. A forensic examination of his digital electronics revealed the presence of child pornography files.
“I’m so thankful that we have our Digital Forensic Investigation Unit out there working cases like this and getting these predators off the street,” Sheriff James Mendrick said Wednesday. “Crimes against children are crimes against our future and that will not be tolerated in DuPage County.”
The suspect, a senior business banker, is also the vice president of the Naperville-based KidsMatter human services organization.
“The allegations against [the suspect] are very disturbing,” DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlin said. “What I find particularly troubling about these allegations is the fact that [he] currently serves as Vice President of the Board for KidsMatter. I would like to stress however, that the allegations against [the suspect] are in no way affiliated with KidsMatter.
“I thank DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and his office for their work not only in this case, but for their ongoing efforts to protect our children from child sexual predators. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Denis Cahill and Helen Kapas for their work in preparing a strong case against this defendant.”
Kroll’s next court date is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 18 in courtroom 4000.
