FREEPORT, Ill. – A Galena police officer arrested and charged for allegedly possessing child pornography in May pleaded Not Guilty earlier this month with a jury trial set for later this summer.
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, from around March thru May, Barthel is accused of possessing two computer files with 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 had similar images of a child under the age of 18.
Arraignment was previously scheduled for June 18, but a status hearing was held June 11 for Barthel to formally plead Not Guilty to the charges, and demand a jury trial.
As ordered by the court, Barthel remains in custody at the Stephenson County Jail.
A status hearing is set for July 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Jury trial is currently set for July 28 at 9 a.m.
JULY 3 UPDATE: Barthel is to remain in custody at the Stephenson County Jail. Defense wants another status hearing. Jury trial no longer scheduled. Next court date is set for Aug. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
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