Investigators arrested a Lake Zurich man after they witnessed him watching child pornography during a search warrant where they recovered dozens of explicit videos and photos.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducted an investigation after receiving a tip that child pornography was being downloaded at a residence in the 0-100 block of Terrace Lane in Lake Zurich.
Sheriff’s detectives obtained a search warrant for the home after receiving enough evidence in the case, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Detectives along with the Lake County Sheriff’s Tactical Response Team and Illinois Attorney General’s Cybercrime Unit conducted the search warrant at the residence Tuesday morning.
As investigators went into the home, they located Jared R. Honegger, 24, in his bedroom watching a child pornography video of a child under the age of 10, Covelli said.
Honegger was arrested and transported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.
Digital forensic examiners with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office conducted an analysis on Honegger’s cellular phone.
Covelli said they located over 90 images and videos of child pornography, with many of the children being under the age of 13.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved five counts of possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony, against Honegger.
Honegger remains held in the Lake County Jail and appeared in First Appearance Court Wednesday morning.
The state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain Honegger in custody while he is awaiting trial.
“The members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office will always do everything in our power to protect our youth,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“A group of detectives are concentrating their efforts on tracking down and apprehending predators who lurk in the shadows of the internet, waiting to prey on the most vulnerable. We appreciate the collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office, State’s Attorney’s Office and our team of detectives,” Idleburg said.
A detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
