Des Plaines man facing charges for sending child sex abuse materials via social media app

A 37-year-old Des Plaines man was charged after a Cook County sheriff’s office investigation found he had shared child sex abuse materials through a social media app.

Nathaniel Zito was charged with dissemination of child sex abuse materials and possession of child sex abuse materials Wednesday. Thursday, he was ordered held in the Cook County jail to await trial.

Investigators interviewed Zito at his home on the 9800 block of Bianco Terrace in October after receiving a tip about child sex abuse materials being shared on a social media account that was ultimately determined to belong to him.

During the interview, investigators said Zito admitted to sending and receiving the illegal images and multiple electronic devices were seized. An examination of those devices uncovered more than 6,500 videos and images of child sex abuse.

Zito’s next court wasn’t provided by authorities.