Waukegan firefighter held on child porn charges

A Waukegan firefighter was ordered held on $50,000 bond Wednesday after being charged with possession of child pornography.

Nathan Clark, 36, faces up to five years in prison if convicted, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Mary Stanton said.

Clark was charged after police in Franklin, Tenn., were contacted by the owners of a house that Clark previously owned. Stanton said the new owners had found a box of DVDs in the attic and called police when they discovered child pornography on the discs.

Police there also found a connection between Clark's computers and some visits to Internet Web sites under surveillance by law enforcement because of suspicion they distribute child pornography.

Tennessee officials contacted the Lake County sheriff's office and investigators went to Clark's home in the 1700 block of White Fence Lane in unincorporated Libertyville on May 12, Stanton said.

They seized computer equipment, including a laptop, tower and separate hard drive that later revealed more than 500 images of child pornography.

Fire Chief Daniel Young said Clark, who has been with the department for 18 months, has been placed on paid administrative leave and declined to comment further.

Clark's attorney, Steven McCollum of Waukegan, said his client is innocent of any wrongdoing.

"I think when all the facts come out, you will find that there is no evidence Mr. Clark ever viewed any of these images," McCollum said.

Associate Judge Raymond Collins ordered Clark to appear in court Sept. 29.