A man from northwest suburban Lake in the Hills is being held in the McHenry County Jail on child pornography charges.
McHenry County prosecutors say he was talking to more than 100 children on Snapchat.
47-year-old Ryan Shapiro faces four felony counts of soliciting child pornography for allegedly exchanging X-rated pictures and videos with four minors last year.
The state’s attorney’s office says Shapiro confirmed the ages of his victims, who were between 10 and 15, before making the requests.
He was arrested on Wednesday.
The Northwest Herald reports defense attorney James Kelly argued for Shapiro’s pre-trial release, saying he has not had further communications with any children since November, has been married for 15 years, has a teenaged child and a stable job.
State’s Attorney Randi Freese says this is “yet another case that should serve as a stark reminder to parents out there to check your children’s phones, and especially their social media accounts.”
Lake in the Hills police and the FBI began investigating Shapiro when they learned he allegedly solicited a child victim from another state.
They are working to confirm and identify all of the children involved.
Shapiro is next due in court on September 16th, according to county jail records.