Great Lakes Man Charged with Disseminating Child Pornography

In May of 2014 the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrimes Unit with assistance from cyber investigators of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office conducted a child pornography investigation which resulted in the issuance of a search warrant.

On June 9, 2014 the search warrant was executed and Billy J. Collins, 33, of the 3600 block of Washington Avenue in Great Lakes was arrested at his residence.  Evidence was seized from the residence which included electronic devices capable of storing electronic media.  A forensic examination of the media devices revealed an extensive amount of images identified as child pornography.

Additionally, during the investigation it was learned Collins had been utilizing the mobile cellphone application “Kik” to pose as a 14 year-old girl.  While acting as a 14 year-old girl, Collins would communicate with who he believed were female children.  Collins said the purpose of this was to acquire nude images of the children he believed he was communicating with.

As Collins is an enlisted member of the United States Navy, Navy Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) assisted in the investigation.

Collins was charged with four counts of Disseminating Child Pornography (Class 1 Felonies), two counts of Soliciting Child Pornography (Class 1 Felonies), seven counts of Possession of Child Pornography – victim images under the age of 13 (Class 2 Felonies), and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography – victim images under the age of 18 (Class 3 Felonies). 

Collins jail bond was set at $250,000.00.  He is scheduled to appear in court on June 12, 2014 at 9:00am.

End of Release.