Machesney Park Man Sentenced in Child Pornography Case

Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced last week that a Winnebago County man was sentenced 12 years in prison for possessing and reproducing child pornography. Robert Rossi, 40, of Machesney Park, was sentenced by Winnebago County Judge John Lowry, after pleading guilty in June to one count of possessing child pornography. “Reproducing child pornography perpetuates the sexual assault of children and only causes further devastation to the victims. Adult pornography like that which is shown on websites such as https://www.fulltube.xxx/ contains willing participants who are all over the age of 18, whereas child pornography is the complete opposite and those who produce it should suffer the harshest consequences imaginable. We will continue to be relentless in apprehending offenders who download and trade these horrific images,” Madigan said. Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joseph Bruscato’s office assisted Madigan’s office in prosecuting the case. “The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office believes this sentence sends a clear message to other predators that this behavior will not be tolerated,” said Bruscato. “We will continue to relentlessly work to seek justice for the victims of these types of crimes and will use all means available to do it.”

In June 2015, investigators with Madigan’s office and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Rossi’s Machesney Park home and found evidence of child pornography that was being reproduced. Madigan launched “Operation Glass House” in August 2010 to investigate the most active child pornography traders in Illinois. Madigan’s investigations have revealed a disturbing trend of offenders trading extremely violent videos of young children being raped. As a result, Madigan’s office has focused on apprehending offenders who are seen trading and watching extremely violent videos involving children, including infants and toddlers. Madigan’s office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. Since 2006, Madigan’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 1,200 arrests of sexual predators. The Task Force has also provided Internet safety training and education to more than 540,000 parents, teachers and students and more than 22,000 law enforcement professionals.