Child porn charges for Aurora man charged as 'Peeping Tom'
Erik S. Paxton of Aurora used to work with kids at the Heritage YMCA in Naperville.
Now, the 24-year-old is facing child pornography charges on top of charges announced last week of burglary, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, authorities said Wednesday.
Bail was set at $500,000 for Paxton's newest charges: two counts each of aggravated child pornography and child pornography. The aggravated charges would give Paxton, of the 100 block of south Rosedale Avenue on Aurora's West side, a mandatory prison term of six to 30 years if he's convicted.
Aurora police began investigating Paxton on May 20 in connection with a “Peeping Tom” incident on the 200 block of south Westlawn Avenue the night before. Police connected Paxton to the May 19 incident as well as two others involving a man peering into windows, two burglaries and one case of criminal trespass.
During the investigation, they found several images of young children on Paxton's home computer that he apparently found online, then electronically manipulated into what is considered child pornography, police said.
Investigators do not believe the pornographic images depict children Paxton worked with during his former employment with Heritage YMCA, or children he came in contact with while volunteering at Hesed House, a homeless services center. Police also say it does not appear Paxton had any inappropriate contact with children at either of those locations.
Still, Aurora police and two West side aldermen held a community meeting Tuesday night, drawing about 150 people to discuss concerns stemming from the “Peeping Tom” cases.
“Our main focus was just to make sure residents understand what invites this type of person into their home and what they can do to try to help prevent some of that,” Alderman Rick Lawrence said.
Police suggested locking doors, keeping bushes trimmed, installing outdoor lighting and reporting suspicious activity as ways to keep potential offenders from lurking around, Alderman John “Whitey” Peters said.
Some residents were concerned about what Paxton could do if he gets out of jail, Peters said. In addition to the $500,000 bail set Wednesday, Paxton's previous bail of $260,000 still stands, meaning he'd have to pay $76,000 to be released.
If he posts bond, Paxton would not be allowed to access any computers or have contact with anyone younger than 18.
His next court date is June 30. Aurora police and the Kane County state's attorney's office continue to investigate.