Arlington Heights man gets probation

A 57-year-old Arlington Heights man was sentenced to two years probation Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated child pornography.

In exchange for Larry Moser's plea, Cook County prosecutors dismissed 21 other charges against the former high school referee who authorities say had computer hard drives and DVDs containing hundreds of "lewd and lascivious" images of children.

Moser, who has no criminal record, must also undergo counseling and register as a sex offender as a condition of his sentence.

"If there was the slightest evidence that you were distributing this you'd go to the penitentiary," said Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Fecarotta. "Violate this probation and you're going to go."

An FBI file-sharing investigation uncovered images on Moser's computer last year, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Todd Dombrowski. Federal agents notified the Cook County Sheriff's Department whose officers conducted their own investigation which culminated in Moser's February arrest.

"I'm fortunate to have a loving wife and loving family to support me," said Moser, who vowed he would never do anything like this again. "I will do whatever I'm required to do."