Downers Grove Doc Cops Guilty Plea To Kiddie Porn Charge

Caption: Edward J. McMenamin, 68, as he appeared last year at the time of his arrest on child pornography charges.

A Downers Grove physician arrested on multiple child pornography charges has pleaded guilty to one class X felony count of child pornography in a DuPage County courtroom.

Edward J. McMenamin 68, of the 4200 block of Saratoga, was originally facing 17 counts of possession and dissemination of child pornography when he was arrested and charged in May 2014.

Judge Liam Brennan accepted the physician’s plea in court on Tuesday.

Police first became aware of McMenamin after receiving a tip in late 2013 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible dissemination and possession of child pornography in Downers Grove.

Authorities were eventually led to McMenamin, who was allegedly found with numerous images of videos of child pornography where he was taken into custody outside his Downers Grove home on May 29, 2014.

McMenamin was formerly affiliated with Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and Advocate Health Care, where had served as the chairman of the Department of Family Practice at Advocate Good Samaritan.

At the time of his arrest McMenamin had been practicing family medicine for over 30 years and worked out of an office at Downers Grove Family Practice.

Following his arrest, his phsician’s license was suspended by the state and he was kicked out of the Advocate Health Care system.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said after court that child pornographers “such as Mr. McMenamin” justify their behavior by claiming that possession of child pornography is a “victimless crime.”

“The truth is, every image and video that Mr. McMenamin had in his possession represents an innocent victim of child pornography,” Berlin said in a written statement. “These young victims have had their innocence stolen from them just to satisfy the revolting desires of sexual deviants.”

McMenamin faces a maximum penalty of up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. His sentencing has been scheduled for May 11.

Also on Patch:

Downers Grove Family Doctor Facing Multiple Child Porn Charges

Accused Child Porn Doctor Suspended from Medical Group