Military Recruiter Faces Child Porn Charges

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A military recruiter assigned to the Lake County area face felony child porn charges after authorities found inappropriate photos and videos on his phone, prosecutors said Wednesday.

James R. Wallace, 35, of Rolling Meadows, is behind bars on a $500,000 bail following his arrest Tuesday. Wallace was a recruiter and and active duty sergeant for the U.S. Marine Corps in the Lake County area, and he reported to a command building at the Great Lakes Naval base, authorities say.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office worked with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as part of the Internet Crime Against Children Task Force to investigate a tip made earlier this year about an individual having access to a digital drop box that contained illegal images, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

The agencies worked together to identify Wallace as a suspect, and used a search warrant and forensic analysis to turn up child pornography on Wallace's cell phone. Authorities say they found two pictures and two videos.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the situation and are asking anyone who has concerns about whether Wallace had inappropriate contact with minors to call their home law enforcement agency.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart says prosecuting those accused of accessing child pornography is a priority for his office.

“We will never stop searching for these offenders in every corner of the web and the county. These cases are a top priority for our office, and we are constantly seeking new technology to protect the children of Lake County and northern Illinois,” State's Attorney Rinehart said.

Wallace is next expected in court on Sept. 9.