Man gets $50,000 bond for porn

Bond was set at $50,000 Saturday for a Round Lake Park man charged with possession of child pornography after authorities say his then-girlfriend found, and reported, his DVD stash.

John R. Hedges, 40, of the 900 block of Barbara Court, was arrested Friday, after the woman -- who was in the process of moving in with him -- told police he may have pornographic pictures of children on several discs at his home, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors now know the contents of one of the DVDs, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Robert Money said Saturday. That one holds images of children ages 5 to 12 performing various sex acts, sometimes with older men.

The remaining DVDs -- Money said there are fewer than 50 -- still are being investigated. Hedges, who for now faces a single count of child porn possession, could be slapped with one count for each image on the DVDs.

Hedges had denied any knowledge of the porn when his then-girlfriend originally confronted him, Money said. He said Hedges later threw the DVDs into the garbage.

The tipster, who since broke up with Hedges, recovered the discs and brought some to police. Officers later obtained a search warrant for Hedges' home, where they took more items, including computers, police said. The investigation continues.

Hedges has no criminal record. It was unclear if he had been able to post the $5,000 required to get out of jail.

Should he be released, he'll be barred from any contact with children under age 17.

Hedges is due back in court in Lake County on Sept. 26.