Hometown Man Possessed, Dissimenated Child Pornography: Police
HOMETOWN, IL — A Hometown man is accused of possessing and disseminating child sexual assault material after images depicted children under age 13 engaged in various sex acts. Matthew J. Ceska, 28, appeared Thursday before Cook County Judge John Fairman on felony charges of possession of child pornography and dissemination of child pornography. More charges may be forthcoming.
Hometown police assigned to the Cook County Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a cyber tip in June from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a message app containing nine files of suspected child pornography. Eight of the images were viewable to investigators.
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An investigation was launched by Hometown police, ICAC and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s investigations Bureau. Investigators determined that child sex assault images were uploaded between May 12 and June 10 from the Kik app to an IP address said to be tied to Ceska, the prosecutor said. At least 22 files containing child sexual assault material of children under 13 were shared with another Kik user from Ceska’s also shared with another Kik user from his address, the prosecutor said.
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Earlier this month, the prosecutor said two more cyber tips were received from the national center concerning 25 files uploaded to different devices tied to Ceska.
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Police executed a search warrant Tuesday at Ceska’s residence in the 8800 block of South Corcoran Road. Electronics in the home were recovered in the search, and a forensic examination of them yielded files depicting child sexual assault material of children younger than 13 years old between June 28 and July 24.
The prosecutor said despite Ceska having no prior criminal background, he still presented a threat to the community, especially children.
“The proof is evident and the presumption great that he is a clear and present danger,” the prosecutor told the judge. “[Ceska] needs 24/7 supervision.”
Ceska’s attorney said his client has no criminal background and is gainfully employed. He lives alone at his Hometown residence.
“Detain his use of a computer and iPhone during pretrial,” the attorney asked.
The judge released Ceska with conditions that he stay off the internet and not have contact with minors.
Ceska is due back in court Sept. 26 in Bridgeview.
An investigation was launched by Hometown police, ICAC and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s investigations Bureau.
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