A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment charging former Illinois State Rep. KEITH FARNHAM with possessing, receiving, and transporting child pornography, federal law enforcement officials announced today. Farnham was initially charged with one count of possession of child pornography in a criminal complaint filed last month in U.S. District Court.
Farnham, 66, of Elgin, was indicted yesterday on one count of possessing child pornography involving a minor under age 12, one count of receiving child pornography, and two counts of transporting child pornography, all via computer. Farnham, who was previously released on his own recognizance with conditions, including home incarceration and electronic monitoring, will be arraigned on a date yet to be determined in Federal Court.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of a computer hard drive that was seized at Farnham’s residence on March 13, when agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed federal search warrants at Farnham’s state office and residence in Elgin.
Farnham resigned his seat in the Illinois General Assembly on March 19.
According to the complaint affidavit, HSI agents were investigating information received from the HSI Cyber Crimes Center that an email address, later linked to Farnham, was being used to trade child pornography on the Internet.
Possession of child pornography of a minor under age 12 carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while each count of receiving and transporting child pornography carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years, and a maximum fine of $250,000 on each count. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Gary Hartwig, Special Agent-in-Charge of HSI in Chicago.
The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Petersen.
An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Anon - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 9:50 am:
He should be held without bail. He’s an animal who takes pleasure in child molestation. Why is he not in a cell right now?
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 9:53 am:
when the public hears more details about what felonies this man is accused of having committed, everyone is going to need one of his oxygen tanks to remain conscience.
- Union Man - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 10:01 am:
Hope he loses his pension!!
- Walker - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 10:08 am:
Still sorry I read the whole complaint. Makes me nauseous to be reminded of it.
- wordslinger - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 10:19 am:
–to remain conscience–
a conscience doesn’t seem to be in play here.
- Lobo Y Olla - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 10:20 am:
As I said before, this is step 2. That is, they have completed the forensic analysis. Step 3 (which is a concurrent investigation not really a next step) is to identify any potential “real” victims. Based upon his internet chat logs, I assume they are looking to identify the African-American child he mentioned. This will be the government’s highest priority.
- ed - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 2:21 pm:
He’s now on a type of “double secret probation” at his own home.Wonder what kind of more serious action will be taken to control this deviate?–Seriously this obvious favoritism for this guy is disgusting.
- Nonplussed - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 3:25 pm:
At least we know that while out on bail, he would slow down in school zones.
- Just The Way It Is One - Friday, May 23, 14 @ 4:42 pm:
It IS an indictment and not conviction, of course, but, still, ya just gotta ask…in case many, most, or all of the child pornography charges are proven, who would’ve figured…?!