Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin, Hanover Park Chief of Police Andrew Johnson, and Homeland Security Investigations Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State's motion to deny pretrial release for a Streamwood man accused of sexually assaulting a one-year-old girl. Cruz Estanislao, 24, of the 100 block of Nettle Lane, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with four counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault - Victim Under Thirteen (Class X Felony), one count of Class X Child Pornography, and one count of Class 1 Child Pornography.

On August 19, 2024, a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Center Child Exploitation Investigations Unit received information regarding suspected manufacture of child pornography on the "Wickr" application under the name "allfun2023." Through an investigation conducted by the Unit and the Hanover Park Police Department, Estanislao was identified as a suspect. It is alleged that when Estanislao manufactured the child pornography, he sexually assaulted a female family member who was approximately one year old at the time. It is further alleged that between February and April 2023, Estanislao shared those videos on the "Wickr" application. On August 29, 2024, special agents with the Department of Homeland Security took Estanislao into custody after a vehicle he was traveling in was stopped by local police.

"In my thirty-seven years as a prosecutor, I can honestly say that I have never seen anything as unconscionable as the allegations against Mr. Estanislao," Berlin said. "I am at a loss for words to describe how disturbing I find the videos allegedly produced by the defendant. Child pornography is not a victimless crime, and this case further cements that belief. I commend the Department of Homeland Security Cyber Crimes Center Child Exploitation Investigations Unit for their tremendous efforts in this case and their continued dedication to protecting these young, innocent victims and their families. I sincerely thank the Hanover Park Police Department for their work as well on this extremely disturbing case. I also thank Assistant State's Attorney Grace Barsanti for her work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Estanislao and for her continued efforts in prosecuting those who would manufacture and distribute such images."

"The Hanover Park Police Department was pleased to assist Homeland Security with this case, in which they did tremendous work in bringing this individual to justice," Johnson said. "We remain committed to collaborating with all of our law enforcement partners—state, local, and national—to protect victims and hold those who would victimize the innocent accountable. I also want to thank State's Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their efforts in securing charges against the defendant."

Estanislao's next court date is scheduled for September 23, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O'Connell.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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.