77-year-old Gurnee man admits to possession of child porn
A 77-year-old Gurnee man was sentenced to probation Wednesday after pleading guilty to a charge of possession of child pornography.
Ronald J. Wendt, of the 4100 block of Stoney Island, will serve 24 months of felony probation under a negotiated plea agreement accepted by Lake County Judge James Booras.
Wendt also must perform 100 hours of community service, submit to sex offender counseling, and register as a sex offender in Illinois for the rest of his life.
He was ordered to not consume alcohol or illegal drugs while on probation, not be in locations where drugs or alcohol are being consumed, and must pay court fees of $4,324.
Defense attorney Steve Simonian and Wendt declined to comment after the plea deal Wednesday.
Wendt was facing three to seven in prison if found guilty after trial on the initial five counts of possession of child pornography filed against him June 20.
Lake County Assistant State's Attorney George Pappas said in court that authorities received a tip that a large number of images containing child pornography were found on a data storage website with an IP address that traced back to Wendt.
A search warrant was issued for Wendt's home, and two confiscated computers contained additional lewd images, Pappas said.
Wendt had been out of custody after posting the required 10 percent of his $50,000 bail.