Island Lake man given 8 years for using file-sharing network to share, download child porn

ISLAND LAKE, Ill. — An Island Lake man who used a file-sharing network to share child pornography was handed an eight-year prison sentence this week.

Lawrence Root, a 51-year-old Island Lake resident, was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after entering a negotiated plea of guilty to a child pornography charge, McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced Friday.

According to Freese, an investigation into Root’s actions began in March of this year after detectives from the Woodstock Police Department began a probe into the possible sharing of child sexual abuse material over a file-sharing network.

The investigation eventually led authorities to an IP address associated with an address in Island Lake that was found to be downloading and sharing files depicting child sexual abuse material.

It was then determined that Root was the user associated with the IP address and account sharing the files.

Authorities eventually arrested Root at his home on June 5. At that same time, detectives searched his home and seized two computers and other electronic devices.

A search of the seized devices then revealed numerous files depicting child sexual abuse material.

In addition to the evidence collected at his home, during the investigation, Root even admitted to being in possession of and sharing files that contained child pornography.

“This case exemplifies the advancements our law enforcement partners have made in their ability to detect and identify these specific internet criminals. It’s not as easy to hide your identity on the dark web any longer.” Freese said.

Root’s sentence was handed down by Judge Mark Gerhardt on Thursday.

Upon release, Root will be placed on mandatory supervised release for a period of three years to natural life and he must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.