Ex-Naperville Internet predator goes to prison for child porn

In his own words, David M. Pieper called himself the "Big Bad Wolf" while talking with young girls about sex on the Internet.

Now he has a new label - convicted sex offender.

The 58-year-old former Naperville man was sentenced Monday to four years in prison for possessing child pornography.

Prosecutor Ken Tatarelis said a forensic examination of Pieper's computers showed he had contact with hundreds of girls, some as young as 9, in Internet chat rooms and often initiated sexual conversations.

Authorities still are trying to locate many of the girls.

Pieper was arrested Aug. 16, 2005, in Carmel, Ind., on child solicitation charges after police said he traveled from Naperville for a sexual rendezvous with a 13-year-old girl he chatted with on the Internet for two months.

That girl turned out to be an uncover cop, who was waiting for Pieper when he arrived at the ice cream shop where they agreed to meet.

Pieper denied he planned to have sex with the girl. Rather, he told authorities he has a psychology degree and liked to reach out to help troubled youths.

Police found condoms and lubricant in his motel room.

Afterward, detectives searched Pieper's house on Pebblewood Trail in Naperville and at the Downers Grove office where he worked as a computer programmer.

Naperville Detective Richard Wistocki testified they recovered printed images of child porn in the defendant's home. Later, after an extensive forensic examination of his computers, police found more child porn and sexual Internet chats with girls.

Pieper pleaded guilty in both cases and will be sentenced March 20 in Indiana. Judge Kathryn Creswell sentenced him Monday in DuPage County.

"I regard my behavior as immoral and reprehensible," Pieper said. "I understand that and make no excuses for it. In the last three years, I have re-established my Christian faith. I've become my own worst judge ..."

In seeking a prison term, Tatarelis read in court parts of Pieper's Internet chats. Pieper said he felt like the "Big Bad Wolf after a shy, innocent lamb." He told a girl he was old enough to be her grandfather and that many people would consider him "evil."

He also cautioned a girl against telling anyone because he "didn't want the FBI knocking on my door." Pieper often told the girls he wanted them to come live with him and be his "sex slave."

"He's a pedophile," Tatarelis said. "He solicited hundreds of very vulnerable, unstable girls with unstable family lives who are perfect victims for a predator."

Pieper, whose most recent address was in Georgia, faced probation or up to five years in prison. He did not have a prior criminal record.

The Naperville Police Department is co-hosting a free community forum 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday to teach parents tips to protect their children from Internet predators. The forum will be held in the city council chambers of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St., in Naperville. No one under 18 may attend due to mature content. For more information, call Sgt. Bill Davis at (630) 305-5951.