GALENA, Ill. – A Galena police officer was arrested Friday on child pornography charges following an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Court records show Officer Eli Barthel, 23, is charged with multiple felonies including two counts of Possession of Child Pornography with Victim Under the Age of 13, a Class 2 Felony.
According to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, investigators searched Barthel’s home located in the 500 block of North Sierra Drive in Freeport. He was taken into custody at the Stephenson County Jail after investigators found evidence of child sexual abuse material.
Barthel, who joined the Galena Police Department in December, has been placed on administrative leave pending termination, according to the department and city’s website.
Recently deleted Facebook posts by the Galena Police Department showed Barthel was sworn in about four months ago and graduated from Sauk Valley Community College last month. Barthel’s official start date with the department was Dec. 30, 2024, according to the city’s website.
After appearing in court Monday via video, Barthel is set to return to court Tuesday at 9 a.m. for an initial appearance and detention hearing.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided separately as they become available.
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