A DuPage County deputy was fired and arrested this week after investigators said they found child sexual-abuse material at his Lisle home. Steven M. Simmons, 32, appeared in court on Wednesday and faces three counts that allege he disseminated images of children under 13. State investigators have joined the probe, and Simmons is due back in court on June 15.
Deputy Charged And Removed From Job
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Simmons was charged with three counts of disseminating child sexual-abuse material depicting victims younger than 13. The DuPage County sheriff’s office told the paper it learned Monday that the Illinois Attorney General’s office was investigating, and the sheriff’s office said Simmons’ employment was terminated at the conclusion of his court hearing. Officials have not released additional investigative details to the public.
State Role And Legal Context
The Illinois Attorney General’s office runs an Internet Crimes Against Children task force and frequently teams up with local departments on online child-exploitation investigations, according to a prior news release from the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Under Illinois law, reproducing and disseminating child sexual-abuse material are treated as serious felonies, and penalties increase based on the age of the victim and the specific offense. Statutory details are outlined in the Illinois General Assembly. Prosecutors in similar cases have sought multi-year prison terms, reflecting how aggressively the state pursues these charges.
Search At Lisle Home And Upcoming Hearing
Investigators with the Lisle Police Department executed a search warrant at Simmons’ residence in the 5500 block of Lakeside Drive and seized material that led to his arrest, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The outlet says Simmons was taken into custody after evidence was recovered, and he is scheduled to appear in DuPage County court again on June 15.
Legal Stakes And What Comes Next
Simmons is presumed innocent and will have the opportunity to contest the allegations at future court hearings. The attorney general’s office has secured lengthy sentences in past dissemination cases, including one in which prosecutors obtained a 15-year prison term, which underscores how serious these counts can be, according to the Illinois Attorney General’s office. Local and state investigators typically continue digital forensic work while a case moves through court. Anyone with information about possible child exploitation can contact local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
