New Lenox Native Had Child Porn: Will County Sheriff

A New Lenox native who has served since 2016 as the director of Joliet's American Legion Band has been arrested by the Will County Sheriff's Office on charges of child pornography. The Will County Sheriff's Office issued a press release on Tuesday afternoon regarding their arrest of 28-year-old Kevin Macha.

"Today, a search warrant was executed at the Raub Street address and Macha was brought in for questioning," sheriff's officials announced Tuesday. "During the interview, Macha made incriminating statements and was ultimately arrested. Numerous electronic devices were seized during the search warrant and are currently being examined. Macha is being held at the Adult Detention Facility where he will appear in bond court tomorrow."

The press release notes that Macha directs the Joliet American Legion Band and has worked the past four years in Braidwood at Reed-Custer School District 255 where he teaches the subject of music in grades five through eight.

"Reed-Custer administrators have met with Sheriff’s detectives and are fully cooperating, as the investigation is ongoing," Will County stated.

The child pornography investigation began this past summer in June after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children reported that someone was sharing child pornography on his computer. In August, the Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division was notified of the cyber tip.

"Over the course of the investigation, it was determined that Kevin Macha was using a social media platform in order to share child pornography," police announced.

The Joliet American Legion Band website has a lengthy bio on Macha.

"Mr. Macha joined the Joliet American Legion Band in 2016, filling a vacancy in the bass clarinet section. His primary instrument is piano, but he is also a talented French horn player. His love for music and his enthusiasm about the band provided him the desire to interview and audition for the position of Musical Director," the website notes.

"Originally from New Lenox, and now a resident of Joliet, Mr. Macha is looking forward to providing many years of dedication towards the Joliet American Legion Band, and being an active member of the Joliet community," his American Legion Band bio explains.

Mugshot of Kevin Macha via Will County Sheriff