Former Bartlett parks official admits having child porn

A former Bartlett park board member pleaded guilty Monday to possessing images of child pornography on his personal computer.

Charles F. Rowe, 62, faces either probation or two to five years in prison when sentenced Jan. 11 in DuPage County.

The criminal investigation began after authorities received a tip from PayPal, an online payment processing site, of the illegal purchase. Police arrested Rowe last Dec. 10 at his home on the 1300 block of Filly Lane.

"The defendant admitted to subscribing to the child pornography sites and downloading images, some of which were subsequently found on his computer," said Prosecutor Diane Michalak.

The morning after Rowe's arrest, he resigned from his elected post on the park district board. Voters first elected him to the board in 2001. Rowe was serving a second six-year term, after winning re-election in 2007, when he was arrested.

Michalak said the illegal activity did not involve park district computers. Rowe submitted to a background check after being elected to the board, park district officials have said. Rowe, who did not have a prior criminal history, passed the screening.

Rowe posted the required 10 percent of his $100,000 bond and was set free the day of his arrest. DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis, who presided over Monday's plea, will sentence Rowe at his next court hearing. Rowe also will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.