6.5K Child Porn Videos, Images Found On Man's Phone, Laptop: Sheriff

DES PLAINES, IL — A 37-year-old Des Plaines man is accused of possessing and disseminating child pornography after police said they found approximately 6,500 videos and images on his phone and laptop. Nathaniel Zito, of the 9800 block of Bianco Terrace, was arrested Tuesday at his home following an investigation that began in September 2025.

On Wednesday, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved felony charges of dissemination of child pornography and possession of child pornography against Zito, who was then sent to the Cook County Jail following his initial court appearance Thursday.

According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, Zito was sharing child sexual abuse material, or CSAM, via a social media app. Police opened an investigation after the department's Internet Against Children Unit received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about potential CSAM on a social media user’s account.

After police learned the social media account belonged to Zito, investigators spoke with him at his home in October of last year. After waiving his Miranda rights, he reportedly told police he had sent and received CSAM from his cell phone and laptop computer. Police said Zito consented to investigators to look through his phone, where they saw CSAM. The investigators took the electronic devices as evidence and obtained search warrants for them.

Police arrested Zito on Jan. 27 after finding approximately 6,500 videos and images of CSAM on those devices.

According to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, investigations handled by the agency have resulted in charges against 61 people for cases involving the victimization of children and child pornography since 2020.