Two Illinois Men Arrested on Child Pornography Charges

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has announced the 72nd and 73rd arrests in Operation Glass House, a statewide effort to investigate and arrest offenders trading child pornography online. 

According to a news release, Operation Glass House investigators and the Vandalia Police Department arrested 34-year-old Ryan J. Koontz of Vandalia on Wednesday after executing a search warrant at his home. On Tuesday, 26-year-old Christopher L. Cook was arrested after a search warrant was executed at his home in Centralia.

“Online child pornography is a horrific crime that victimizes children each time an image is downloaded or traded,” Madigan said. “My office will continue to be relentless in tracking down and apprehending offenders who trade these horrific videos.”

Koontz is charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography and eight counts of possession of child pornography. Koontz will be charged in Fayette County. Bond was set at $300,000.

Cook is charged with five counts of distribution of child pornography and nine counts of possession of child pornography. Cook will be charged in Mario County. Bond was set at $150,000.