An employee at Palatine High School found himself on the wrong side of the law after charges were brought against him for his alleged involvement with child pornography. Bradley Robertson, 41, is facing serious accusations as a teacher's aide, a person expected to hold a position of trust in the educational community.
According to ABC7 Chicago, Robertson was charged with eight counts of reproduction of child pornography with a victim under 13, as well as possession of child pornography. The illegal activity was purportedly carried out through Kik, an instant messaging app, which is reported to have been used by Robertson to share at least three files depicting sexual abuse with other users.
Investigators received a significant lead earlier this year from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about suspects sharing child sexual abuse materials on Kik, as was revealed in court papers. Subsequent inquiries enabled the capture of pertinent information such as IP and email addresses, which eventually led authorities straight to Robertson's door.
On June 17, Robertson's world began to rapidly unravel as law enforcement officials, acting on a search warrant, seized three laptops from his residence, a detail highlighted by CBS Chicago. Later the same day, Robertson opted to go to the Palatine Police Department, where he found himself taken into custody. A search of his phone brought to light a minimum of three files depicting children under the age of 13 in sexual abuse scenarios.
Following his initial court appearance on June 19, Robertson was ordered to remain in detention and currently resides in the Cook County Jail. He was subsequently arraigned on July 28, and he is expected to face the court again on August 28. This case serves as a grave reminder of the responsibility placed on those who work with the most vulnerable in society and the efficacy of the digital trails that can lead to their downfall when that trust is broken.
