Man denies sending porn to his son in prison

A 76-year-old Lake Villa Township man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he mailed child pornography to his imprisoned child molester son.

Donald Swanson, of the 36000 block of Normandy Lane, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of dissemination of child pornography.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Steven Derue said officials at Menard Correctional Facility intercepted an envelope containing images of child pornography on March 23.

Derue said the envelope was addressed to Brian Swanson, 46, currently serving a 30-year sentence for a 2008 conviction for predatory sexual assault of a child. He is Donald Swanson’s son.

Investigators from the Lake County Sheriff’s office went to interview Donald Swanson at the address listed on the envelope sent to the prison after being contacted by Department of Corrections officials.

Derue said Swanson told them his son had sent him instructions on how to find the child pornography on the Internet, and asked that he mail him some images.

The elder Swanson was released on a signature bond following his arrested. Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered him to appear in court July 21.