Child pornography charges for Elmhurst man
An Elmhurst man has been charged with fifteen counts of aggravated possession of child pornography resulting from an investigation that began in December, authorities said Saturday.
Paul F. Murphy, 55, of Elmhurst, was taken into custody on a warrant Friday at the Bensenville Public Library, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.
In an online child pornography investigation, Elmhurst police Officer Steve Mandat found evidence suggesting Murphy possessed hundreds of images and videos containing child pornography, the prosecutor’s office said.
The charges against Murphy are Class 2 felonies, punishable by a maximum three to seven years in prison if he is convicted.
“Child pornography steals innocence from its young victims one photograph at a time,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin said in a statement. “Each one of those images allegedly possessed by Mr. Murphy represents a victim.”
Bond for Murphy was set at $200,000, meaning he must post $20,000 cash to go free while awaiting trial. Conditions on Murphy’s bond prohibit him from having any computer access or contact with children younger than 18 if he is released.
He is scheduled to appear at a bond review hearing Feb. 28 and for arraignment March 21.