Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a West Chicago man accused of possessing and disseminating child pornography. Marco Cruz, 39, of the 700 block of Lyman Street, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with five counts of Child Pornography – Reproduce or Distribute – Victim Under 13, a Class X Felony.

Through their ongoing efforts to combat child pornography, authorities with the West Chicago Police Department were made aware of the possible possession and dissemination of child pornography by a user with the name KingOfKings3800. Following an investigation, authorities traced the username to an email and IP address allegedly registered to Cruz. On May 28, 2024, West Chicago police conducted a traffic stop on Cruz, during which officers seized his cell phone. It is alleged that in the past two days, Cruz had disseminated more than ten videos of child pornography using the Kik application. It is further alleged that Cruz had stored hundreds of videos and images of child pornography on his cell phone, some depicting children who appeared to be as young as two to seven years old, and that he had also disseminated child pornography using the Telegram application.

“The allegation that Mr. Cruz was not only in possession of child pornography but also shared pornographic images depicting children with others is very disturbing,” Berlin said. “As I have said many times in the past, every image of child pornography represents yet another innocent victim of child pornography and my office will not hesitate in filing charges against anyone involved in such behavior. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their work on this case and for their continued efforts in protecting our children from child pornographers. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexandria Levan and Michael Pingaj for their work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Cruz.”

“Offenders who believe that disseminating child pornography is harmless because they didn’t create it are perpetuating a myth and encouraging an illegal act that almost guarantees the future victimization of innocent children,” Fleury said. “West Chicago Police Department personnel will not only use every available resource to investigate these crimes to curb this horrendous offense but we will also continue to work tirelessly and cooperatively with State's Attorney Bob Berlin and his office to seek justice.”

Cruz’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 25, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.