Man Charged With Videotaping Sex Acts With Juvenile

LAKE COUNTY, IL – A 20-year-old Wadsworth man is in custody for allegations he had a sexual relationship with a juvenile girl and also video recorded sexual acts between the two, authorities said. Joshua D. Howard, 20 of the 38800 block of Chicago Avenue, was arrested Friday following a search by detectives of his home, police said. Howard is charged with manufacturing child pornography, a Class X felony, and criminal sexual abuse, a Class A misdemeanor, and remained in custody on a $750,000 bail as of Monday afternoon, according to online jail records.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office first launched an investigation into Howard in November after learning of the suspected sexual relationship between him and the juvenile, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

During that investigation, detectives learned Howard also video and audio recorded the juvenile while engaging in sexual acts with her, police said.

Howard is next due in court on Jan. 16.

The investigation into Howard is ongoing and Sheriff’s Detectives encourage anyone with information about Howard to contact them at 847-377-4245.

PHOTO VIA THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE