38,000 Child Sex Abuse Images Found During Investigation Into Huntley Man: Prosecutors

HUNTLEY, IL — A 20-year-old Huntley man accused of possessing more than 38,000 child sex abuse images, which he distributed to others over social media, has been ordered to remain behind bars as court proceedings move forward in McHenry County.

John Ruffolo has been charged with seventeen counts of child sexual abuse material following an investigation by local authorities.

The Huntley Police Department launched the investigation into Ruffolo after receiving a cybertip

from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Internet Crimes Against Children, which included of a Dropbox account that contained child sexual abuse materials, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Investigative efforts connected the Dropbox account from the cybertip to Ruffolo. The Dropbox, authorities said, contained more than 1,000 images and 200 videos of child sex abuse material.

A subsequent search of Ruffolo’s home uncovered more than 37,000 additional images located on an encrypted external hard drive.

The probe also revealed Ruffolo was an active participant in the facilitation, possession, and distribution of child sexual abuse material to other users through various social media applications.

Ruffolo is next expected in court on February 20.