Frankfort Man Faces Child Pornography, Sexual Abuse Charges

FRANKFORT, IL — A Frankfort man already charged with possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography in Will County is now facing additional charges in Cook County. Steven Cardenas, 30, of the 20700 block of Woodlawn Court, was arrested in February on the Will County charges but is now facing nine counts of production of pornography and seven counts of predatory criminal sexual assault in Cook County.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office said investigators found videos of him engaging in sexual acts with a child. Police executed a search warrant at Cardenas' home in February, which is when he was charged in Will County.

During their investigation, Will County Sheriff's investigators found multiple images of child pornography on Cardenas' devices that they believed may have been produced in Cook County, the sheriff's office said.

The images were turned over to the Cook County Sheriff's Office, where investigators said they found nine videos of Cardenas engaging in sexual activity with a child at various times and locations in 2017 and 2018. The sheriff's office said investigators were able to locate the victim and determine the abuse took place in Cook County.

Cardenas was arrested Wednesday and appeared at a bond hearing at the Markham Courthouse Thursday. He was denied bond and will next appear in court on March 31.