Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lisle Chief of Police James Kruger announced that a judge has granted the motion to detain Charles Eastes, a Lisle resident, before his trial. Eastes is accused of possessing thousands of images of child pornography. He faces charges including one count of Possession of Child Pornography with a victim under 13 and two counts of Child Pornography.

The investigation began on December 24, 2024, when the Lisle Police Department received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about potential child pornography in DuPage County. This led detectives to Eastes. On January 8, 2025, police executed a search warrant at his home where they allegedly found child pornography on multiple devices and photos he allegedly took of middle school girls near his residence. Following this discovery, Eastes was taken into custody.

“Child pornography is not a victimless crime,” said Berlin. “Year after year, hundreds of thousands of images are downloaded and shared over the Internet with each image representing yet another innocent, young victim.” He added that his office is prepared to prosecute allegations vigorously and expressed concern over the allegation that Eastes took pictures himself.

“These cases are challenging on even the most hardened investigators who are also parents and grandparents," said Kruger while appreciating the collaboration between their department and Berlin's office.

Eastes is scheduled for another court appearance on February 24, 2025. The public is reminded that these charges are not proof of guilt; every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.