$200K bail for Aurora sex offender charged with child pornography possession

An Aurora sex offender has been charged with possession of child pornography and could face additional charges after an infestation of bedbugs is cleared up and authorities further investigate.

Jerome L. Zaha, 38, of the 400 block of Fifth Street, faces eight felony counts of child pornography possession after his arrest Friday, according to Kane County court records.

Zaha is accused of possessing images in which he knew, or should have known, the victims depicted were under the age of 13, according to charging documents. He is accused of possessing the images in August 2019, records show.

Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said officers arrested Zaha after executing a search warrant at his apartment around 5 p.m. Thursday. Lewbel said police began investigating after receiving a tip about a month ago.

Lewbel said Zaha's apartment was infested with bedbugs and more charges could be added after items are decontaminated and sent to a lab for a complete forensic examination.

Kane County court records show Zaha has two previous arrests in August 2012 and June 2015 for failing to notify authorities of a change of address under sex offender laws. The 2012 case, records show, was dismissed by prosecutors in March 2013.

Zaha pleaded guilty in late 2015 to the June 2015 charge of failure to register and was sentenced to 24 months probation. He also served six days in jail, records show.

Information about Zaha's previous sex offense was not immediately available. He is not listed on the Illinois State Police database as a sex offender.

Zaha is being held at the Kane County jail on $200,000 bail, meaning he must post $20,000 to be released while the case is pending.

If he does post bond, he is to have no contact with anyone under 18. Zaha is next due in court on Jan. 16 and faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to seven years in prison if convicted of the most severe charge.