Des Plaines Man Charged With Dissemination Of Child Pornography

DES PLAINES, IL — A convicted felon is accused of felony dissemination of child pornography after police said he used a social media app to distribute sexually explicit photos and videos of children as young as infants. Jonathan Koziol, 39, of the 800 block of Leahy Circle, Des Plaines, is also accused of felony possession of a weapon by a felon, and was arrested Wednesday following a warranted search of his home.

According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Koziol distributed between 15–20 items containing child sexual abuse material to others through a social media account on his phone that contained hundreds of pornographic images and videos of underage children. Police said Koziol told them he owned the cellphone following his arrest at the CCSO's police headquarters in Maywood.

Koziol appeared in court Wednesday, where his bond was set at $500,000.

In 2015, police said Koziol was convicted of aggravated assault to a police officer while operating a vehicle.

Police investigators assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the social media account. Police determined the account belonged to Koziol. On Tuesday, investigators executed a search warrant for his residence where they seized his cellphone, additional electronics, and a safe containing a handgun. Koziol allegedly did not possess an active Firearms Owners Identification Card or Conceal Carry License.