Registered sex offender facing new charges of possessing child sexual abuse materials

A Lake County man who is already a registered sex offender was charged Thursday for possessing child sexual abuse materials, authorities said.

Thomas Rix, 57, was arrested after authorities received information that Rix uploaded child sexual abuse materials on social media.

When Lake County sheriff’s detectives tried to locate him at the home where he was registered in Winthrop Harbor, they discovered he had moved. After detectives made contact with Rix, he informed authorities he has been living unregistered in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.

The Illinois Attorney General’s cybercrime unit conducted an analysis of Rix’s cellphone and discovered multiple child sexual abuse materials that included children younger than 8, according to a news release from the Lake County sheriff’s office.

Authorities are investigating if Rix had additional electronic devices containing illicit images.

Rix is set to appear in court on October 23.