McHenry County sergeant accused of sex assault also investigated child porn cases

Gregory Pyle, the McHenry County Sheriff's sergeant accused of having sexual contact with a minor, was once its lead investigator for child pornography, according to Michael Combs, chief of the criminal division for the state's attorney's office.

As such, Pyle, 36, has specialized training in computer forensics and also is a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Combs said.

Pyle was head of the evidence department when he turned himself in over the weekend. Combs said he could not comment on whether prosecutors are investigating any of the child pornography cases Pyle handled.

Pat Walsh, Pyle's attorney, did not respond to several messages left at his office Monday.

On Sunday, the 10-year veteran of the department, was charged with 10 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Paperwork filed Monday alleges the assaults took place between September 2006 and September 2010. All with the same child, who was younger than 13.

“We're always troubled by these types of cases and we take crimes against children very, very seriously,” Combs said.

According to a news release, the allegations were brought to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office on Friday, prompting an investigation by the state's attorney's office and the Illinois State Police. Pyle surrendered to state police investigators Saturday evening.

The Crystal Lake resident has been relieved of his police duties and placed on administrative leave while the case goes through the courts.

Pyle's LinkedIn page says he'd been an investigations sergeant since June 2010. Before he joined the force, he was a captain in the U.S. Army for nearly six years, his page said.

Lt. Jim Wagner, a spokesman for the McHenry County Sheriff's Department, said he could not comment on Pyle's disciplinary record or on any commendations he may have received.

“Unfortunately, due to the fact that this is an investigation, I don't have access to his personnel file,” Wagner said. Pyle is free after posting 10 percent of $200,000 bail shortly after midnight Sunday. He is due in court Jan. 27.