COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — Police found nearly 400 photos and videos of child pornography inside an Edgewater home, prosecutors said Friday.
George Schneider, 43, has been charged with dissemination and possession of child pornography.
According to prosecutors, Schneider is employed as a case worker for the Illinois Department of Human Services. Details about his employment could not immediately be confirmed.
Police first set their sights on Schneider in January when officers from the CPD Internet Crimes Against Children task force realized Schneider's computer was distributing pornography through file-sharing services, prosecutors said.
During a seven-month investigation, officers downloaded more than 300 files that originated from Schneider's computer, according to Assistant State's Attorney Holly Grosshans, who spoke during a bond hearing Friday.
Police on Wednesday searched Schneider's home in the 5200 block of North Sheridan Road and found 301 photos and 88 videos of child pornography, authorities said.
Some of the victims were under 13 years old, according to Grosshans, and several images portrayed bestiality and sadomasochistic abuse.
Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. on Friday called Schneider "a threat to children" before setting bail at $500,000.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
