Joseph Lureau, Accused Child Pornographer, Faces Protection Order

JOLIET, IL - After being charged with four felony counts of distributing child pornography, Joseph Lureau's family life is now falling apart. Last week, divorce papers, as well as an emergency protection order, were filed against the Naperville man who works for Com-Ed as an electrical engineer. Will County Courthouse records indicate the couple have two children and a third on the way. However, the child porn charges have turned the criminal defendant's life upside down and left his soon-to-be ex-wife devastated and fearful of him.

On November 29, 2017, "I was informed by the Naperville Police Department that Joseph installed a camera in our residence's bathroom and bedrooms without my knowledge or consent," the Naperville woman stated in the Will County protection order.

On November 23, "DCFS showed up at my home and explained to me that they needed to interview the children. Pending investigation Joseph can't be around any children and he can only have supervised visits with our children," the protection order states.

On November 22, "The SWAT Team came to my house with Joseph and a search warrant. They took all electronic recording devices. Joseph was cooperating with the police and based upon the evidence the police found Joseph was charged with four counts of criminal felony possession of and distribution of child pornography."

On December 8, the 34-year-old Naperville woman filed for divorce against Lureau. The couple got married in 2010 in Oswego.

"The respondent is 34 years of age ... and he is currently employed as an electrical engineer for Commonwealth Edison," the petition for dissolution of marriage states.

As for Lureau, he hired the Joliet law firm of Edward Jaquays to represent him on the child porn charges. His case is being handled by defense attorney Nathaniel Tate. On Thursday, Joliet Patch left a detailed message for seeking comment on his client's behalf but Tate did not call back.

According to the criminal complaint, Lureau is accused of possessing digital videos that had "two fully nude female children" who were younger than 18 years old plus another video of "a fully nude male child and two fully nude female children who are all apparently under the age of 13."

Meanwhile, the Will County order of protection provides more insight into Lureau's mental state. In the emergency protection order, his spouse checked the box indicating Lureau "may be considered armed, dangerous and suicidal."

After granting the protection order, Will County Judge Domenica "Dede" Osterberger also gave the Naperville Police Department permission to confiscate two handguns owned by the defendant.

"I am fearful that once Joseph is released from Linden Oaks, he will return to our residence and attempt to see myself and the minor children. I am fearful for myself and my children to be alone with Joseph based on his past behavior and current mental state," the protection order states.

"Joseph is (on) 10 different medications and has a behavior pattern of stopping taking his medication. I am fearful because I do not trust him, and I do not know what would happen if he stops taking his medication."

Lureau was taken into custody by Naperville police on November 21, jail logs show. He was booked into the Will County Jail around 5:30 p.m., only to be released the next night, on November 22.

Will County Judge Art Smigielski determined that a low bond was appropriate. Smigielski set Lureau's bond at $50,000, meaning the accused child pornography distributor only needed $5,000 to post bail.

However, Judge Smigielski has ordered Lureau to stay away from his family's house in the 3700 block of Candeur Drive in Naperville. Lureau was also barred from using the Internet unless it's to contact Tate, his defense attorney.

Court records now list Lureau's address as the 1300 block of Lincolnshire Court, Carol Stream.

The Will County protection order restricts the defendant from visiting his wife's house in Naperville, her place of employment and the Naperville school building of their children.

Mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department