Lake Zurich man pleads not guilty to reproducing child porn
A Lake Zurich man pleaded not guilty Thursday to criminal charges he duplicated, distributed and stored child pornography on his computer, authorities said Thursday.
Jonathon C. Crouter, 23, of the 100 block of Pine Avenue, has been charged with five counts of reproduction of child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney George Pappas said.
Each count of reproduction of child pornography carries a possible sentence of six to 30 years in prison, Pappas said. The remaining counts could put Crouter behind bars for three to seven years.
Using a search warrant after an investigation by the cybercrimes units of the Lake County state's attorney's and sheriff's offices, police seized multiple electronic devices from Crouter's home June 11.
Additional investigation and forensic testing resulted in the discovery of hundreds of pornographic videos involving children under the age of 13, authorities said. Police said they also determined during the investigation that Crouter reproduced several videos containing child pornography.
He was arrested July 9, court records show, and he was released from Lake County jail after posting the required 10 percent of his $150,000 bail. He is due back in court Oct. 22, Pappas said, with a trial scheduled for Nov. 16.