Vandalized License Plate Reader Investigation Leads To Child Porn Charges: Kane County State's Attorney

GENEVA, IL — Images and videos of child pornography were found on the phone of a Geneva man who was being investigated on allegations he vandalized automated license plate readers, Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said.

Now he faces more than 30 charges, including over a dozen counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.

Mosser's office accused Ruben R. Rodriguez, 25, of damaging or defacing 13 ALPRs between June 6 and June 27 in St. Charles, North Aurora, St. Charles Township and Blackberry Township, according to a news release.

Investigators used the technology to identify Rodriguez as the suspect, and Kane County sheriff's deputies took him into custody on July 2 at his residence. As part of the investigation, deputies seized his phone and examined it, finding suspected child sexual abuse material.

Officers turned the case over to the Kane County Child Exploitation Unit, and additional charges were filed Sept. 24, alleging that on or about July 2, Rodriguez possessed multiple child pornography videos and images involving victims under the age of 13.

Rodriguez, of the 300 block of East Side Drive, faces the following charges:

• 11 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, video
• Two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, image
• 12 counts of criminal damage to government-supported properly, $500-$10,000
• Five counts of criminal damage to property, $500-$10,000
• Misdemeanor criminal defacement of property, more than $500
• Misdemeanor criminal defacement of property, not exceeding $500

Rodriguez appeared in court on Oct. 8, and Associate Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo Jr. released Rodriguez under pretrial supervision while his cases are pending. Rodriguez is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with minors or accessing the internet.

Rodriguez's next court date is scheduled for Nov. 19.