Bartlett man receives 40 years for child porn

A Bartlett man who federal prosecutors said admitted to participating in an international child pornography ring was sentenced to 40 years in prison Tuesday.

Brian Annoreno, 35, was among more than two dozen people from around the world who authorities said participated in a private Internet “chat room” where users traded thousands of illegal images of exploited children.

Annoreno was accused of creating a video that showed him molesting an infant in 2005.

The chat room was infiltrated by undercover investigators and several users, including Annoreno, were arrested in 2006 and charged with child pornography. Annoreno has been in custody since his arrest in January 2006. He will receive credit for time served.

Annoreno pleaded guilty late last year to conspiracy to receive, transmit and advertise child pornography, receiving child pornography and possessing child pornography. He faced up to 50 years in prison.

The investigation was led by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office, officials said. They were assisted by the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children task force operating under Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s authority.

Locally, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office, and Aurora, North Aurora and Bartlett police departments also helped with the investigation, federal officials noted.

Annoreno admitted to producing the video of himself abusing the infant when he pleaded guilty, authorities said. He also acknowledged conspiring with two men from Aurora and a woman from Iowa to trade videos through the chat room.

The two men, Gregory J. Sweezer and Alan M. Jungels, were sentenced to prison in 2008 for 12 years and 20 years respectively. The woman, Lisa A. Winebrenner, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Authorities said Winebrenner was the “host” of the chat room and was responsible for maintaining accessibility for participants.