FREEPORT, Ill. – A newly-hired Galena police officer has been ordered to remain in jail until trial after authorities say they found child pornography at his home in Freeport.
Officer Eli Barthel, 23, of Freeport, is charged with multiple felonies including two counts of Possession of Child Pornography with the Victim Under the Age of 13, a Class 2 Felony.
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office says 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 allegedly found evidence of child sexual abuse material.
According to the criminal complaint I obtained Wednesday, from around March through May, Barthel is accused of possessing two computer files containing images of a child, under the age of 13, engaged in ‘an act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct with another person.’ A third computer file allegedly contained similar images of a child under the age of 18.
On Tuesday, Barthel appeared in court via video for an initial appearance and detention hearing when court filings show a judge granted the prosecutors’ request for Barthel to stay in jail as he awaits trial.
On Saturday, the Galena Police Department said Barthel was placed on administrative leave pending termination. Recently deleted Facebook posts by the department showed Barthel was sworn in about four months ago and graduated from Sauk Valley Community College in April. Barthel’s official start date with the department was Dec. 30, 2024, according to the city’s website.
Galena Police Chief Eric Hefel has not responded to my email asking for a comment.
An entry listed on Judici noted Barthel will plead Not Guilty.
Arraignment is set for June 18 at 9 a.m.
Click links below to view recent court filings.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided separately as they become available.
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