Operation Predator probe nabs 15 for child pornography in Chicago area
Published October 15, 2004
An investigation into child pornography resulted in charges against 15 Lake County residents, including two former high school teachers and a swimming coach. At a press conference last week, Lake County law enforcement officials announced the results of Operator Predator, a 10-month investigation into child pornography which started in November 2003.
Fifteen men from throughout Lake County, from as far north as Antioch to as far south as Barrington, have been charged with unlawful possession of child pornography and other related offenses.
Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller said the defendants come from communities throughout the county, including Antioch, Grayslake, Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Highland Park, Deerfield, Mundelein, Lake Barrington, Lake Villa, Round Lake Beach, Waukegan and Fox Lake. Some of the individuals have already been convicted while others are awaiting trial or have not yet been apprehended.
"What's become clear to me during the course of this investigation is that child predators have left the playground and are now invading cyber space," said Lake County Sheriff Gary Del Re. Del Re said the investigation "strikes at the heart of the commercial trade of child pornography by attacking the commercial profits derived by such a deplorable venture."
More than 75 personal computers were seized during the course of the investigation, and more than 50,000 child pornography images and video clips were discovered.
Waller said among the individuals who were charged included two teachers and a high school coach.
"In our view anybody who deals with child pornography needs to be brought to justice," he said.
The defendants include:
Andrew Shuran, 57, 425 Cambridge Drive, Grayslake, a former teacher and administrator at Farragut High School in the Chicago public schools. He was charged with four counts of possession of child pornography, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 24 months probation and ordered to make a $1,000 contribution to the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.
George Zerfass, 61, 945 Holmes, Deerfield, a retired school teacher who taught for 33 years at Glenbrook South High School. He pleaded guilty last week to one count of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 24 months felony probation, required to undergo counseling, ordered to have no contact with children under the age of 18, have no computer or Internet access, and required to register as a sex offender.
Joshua Delcore, 32, of 185 Shoreline Road, Unit A, Lake Barrington, who was formerly employed as head coach for the boys varsity swimming team and as the head of the Barrington Swim Club. He faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography. A trial date is set for Jan. 3.
Edward Small, 26, of 334 Jefferson Court, Vernon Hills, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 24 months probation and ordered to make a $500 contribution to the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center.
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