Mt. Greenwood Man Appears In Court On Child Porn Charges

CHICAGO, IL - A Mount Greenwood man who was charged with multiple felony counts of possession of child pornography more than a year ago made an appearance in court Thursday morning, 19th Ward Ald. Matt O'Shea said. O'Shea said he attended the court hearing for Russell L. Rhoads at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courts building in Chicago.

In February of 2017, Rhoads was arrested and charged with multiple Class X counts of possession of child pornography. Reports at the time indicate Rhoads' arrest was the result of a months-long investigation by a special unit of the Chicago Police Department.

"It was a very thorough investigation," O'Shea said at the time. "I believe [CPD] have been tracking this guy for several months."

Police executed a search warrant at Rhoads' home in the 10700 block of Homan Avenue on Feb. 2, when they said numerous images related to child pornography were found.

He was out on bond when he appeared in court on Thursday and will remain out on bond until his next court hearing on April 30, according to O'Shea.

"Russell Rhoads is a threat to the children," the alderman wrote in a message to his constituents. "Please consider joining me in court next month to send a strong message from the 19th Ward community."

READ MORE: Mt. Greenwood Man Charged With Class X Felony After Child Porn Found In Home

Photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office