Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) arrested 35-year-old Alex D. Leatherman of Sterling, on one count of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony), and one count of Disseminating Child Pornography (Class X Felony).
On Tuesday, March 21st, DCI Zone 2 Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was investigating a case of child pornography after receiving a Cybertip from Twitter. DCI Zone 2 agents contacted Leatherman by phone, and he agreed to meet at ISP Troop 1 Headquarters in Sterling for a consensual interview.
Evidence gathered from Leatherman’s phone and his confession of possessing and disseminating child pornography during the interview led to the arrest of Leatherman for the above charges. Leatherman was transported to the Whiteside County Jail where he is awaiting a bond hearing. The investigation remains open and on-going. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
The Illinois State Police provide the following resource for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and victims to start their path towards healing and recovery. To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/ ; To report online exploitation visit: www.cybertipline.org ; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources .
