A Boulder Hill man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for downloading multiple photos and videos containing child pornography.
Robert Crysel, 22, 0-99 block of Sonora Drive in Boulder Hill, was convicted of possessing child pornography after pleading guilty in Kendall County court earlier this month.
Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced Monday that Judge Timothy McCann sentenced Crysel to seven years in prison for the crime.
The investigation into Crysel began in December 2014 when Kendall County Sheriff’s Office deputies showed up at Crysel’s home to make sure he was in compliance with the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.
According to Weis, while detectives were at Crysel’s home, they verified the Internet Protocol (IP) address from a computer in his bedroom. Weis said that deputies consulted with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and learned that known child pornography had been downloaded to that IP address.
Based on evidence they obtained, investigators were able to secure a warrant to search Crysel’s home and computers.
The search, conducted on Dec. 30, 2014, turned up numerous items of child pornography, Weis said.
The desktop computer in Crysel’s bedroom allegedly contained 19 images and five videos which contained pornographic images involving children. Weis said the images involved children under the age of 13 involved in various acts of sexual activity.
When interviewed by investigators, Crysel admitted that he had downloaded the images and videos by using specific search terms such as “child porn,” “small girls,” “little girls” and “petite girls,” Weis said. Crysel then stored the videos and images in folders on his computer.
Prosecutors lodged charges against Crysel, who later pleaded guilty, was convicted and sentenced.
Following Crysel’s sentencing, Weis thanked the coordinated efforts of the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force for securing a conviction.
“These cases are particularly difficult to investigate and prosecute due to the nature of these images,” Weis said. “I commend those that are tasked with this specialized and important task.”
Upon his release from prison, Crysel will be required to register with the Illinois Sex Offender Registry for the rest of his life.