Winnetka Man Accused Of Sending Child Porn To Undercover Agent

WINNETKA, IL — A joint investigation by federal and state officials found a Winnetka man sent child pornography to an undercover FBI agent last year, the Cook County Sheriff's Office announced.

Robert Baxter, 45, of the 1500 block of Tower Road, Winnetka, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of dissemination of child pornography. He appeared for a bond hearing Wednesday, posted the $1,000 cash portion of his bond and was released ahead of his next court appearance on Oct. 12.

Baxter is accused of sending a link to a sexually explicit video of a minor on the social media app Kik, according to a release from the sheriff's office. Members of the Chicago FBI's child exploitation and human trafficking task force, which includes investigators from the Cook County State's Attorney's Office and Cook County sheriff's police, traced the account that sent the link to Baxter, it said.

After authorities got a warrant and searched his home, Baxter admitted that he had used the app to send the link to the undercover agent, according to the sheriff's office.

It was not clear when or how he was identified — or whether investigators found material during the search that may lead to additional charges. No further information about the investigation was immediately available from spokespeople for the sheriff's or state's attorney's offices.

Disseminating child pornography is a class X felony. A conviction carries a sentence of six to 30 years in state prison.

UPDATE: Baxter was convicted and ordered to register as a sexual predator with state police.