Big Brothers Big Sisters Volunteer Arrested on Child Porn Charge

A volunteer of Big Brothers Big Sisters in McHenry County has been arrested on a felony child pornography charge, police said Wednesday.

Nicholas D. Pignatari, 20, of McHenry, was taken into custody on a warrant Tuesday. A $40,000 bail was ordered for Pignatari, who made bond and was released from jail early Wednesday, according to online sheriff’s department records.

An investigation into Pignatari stemmed from a CyberTip the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to a McHenry County Sheriff’s Office press release.

The sheriff’s office received information regarding the possible uploading of child porn and launched a two-month investigation.

During the investigation, an e-mail address was identified in the uploading of two images of child pornography, according to the news release. Police said Pignatari, who is also a student at McHenry County College, was the sole user of the e-mail address.

The Sheriff’s Office worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry County and the McHenry County College during the course of the investigation.

Pignatori is next expected in court on Feb. 27.