Highwood Man Charged For Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material: Sheriff

A 32-year-old Highwood man is due in court after a Lake County cybercrime investigation, according to the sheriff.

By Rachel Barnes, Patch Staff

Oct 2, 2026 10:28 AM CDT

The man was arrested after detectives learned that images and videos of child sexual abuse material involving children under 13 were being shared from an electronic device in Highwood. (Jonah Meadows/Patch)

HIGHWOOD, IL — A Highwood man was arrested after a Lake County Sheriff's Office investigation into child sexual abuse material, according to the sheriff's office.

Lake County Sheriff's Detectives said Jake H. Laverick, 32, was arrested after cybercrime detectives learned images and videos of child sexual abuse material involving children under 13 were being shared from an electronic device in Highwood.

Detectives determined the device was at an apartment in the 100 block of High Street in Highwood, according to the sheriff's office. The sheriff's SWAT team, sheriff's detectives, the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Highwood Police Department carried out a search warrant yesterday.

During the search, detectives seized electronics belonging to Laverick, who lives at the residence, including a cellular phone that detectives believe was being destroyed when they entered the home. The sheriff's office said detectives found Laverick possessed child sexual abuse material involving children as young as approximately 8 years old.

After reviewing the facts and circumstances, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved five counts of Possession of Child Abuse Material, Class 2 felonies, according to the sheriff's office. Laverick is due in court this morning, and the State's Attorney's Office intends to file a petition to detain him in custody while awaiting trial, according to the sheriff's office.

"Our Internet Crimes Against Children Detectives work every day to identify those who use technology to exploit children, and this investigation is another example of that commitment," Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. "These cases require specialized investigative skills and strong partnerships, and I commend our detectives and law enforcement partners for their work in identifying this offender and protecting vulnerable children. We will continue pursuing those who possess and distribute this material and working to hold them accountable."