Wedron man faces 60 years in prison, accused of sharing 2 child porn videos

A Wedron man could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted of transmitting two sexually explicit videos depicting underage girls.

Robert S. Kowalski, 32, was presented Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court with two charges of dissemination of child pornography and possession of child pornography, a Class X felony carrying six to 30 years in prison with no possibility of probation. If convicted of both charges, however, Kowalski would be required to serve them back-to-back.

Kowalski was arrested Thursday following a multi-agency investigation including the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office. In open court Friday, Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Matt Kidder said investigators received a Feb. 3 tip that prohibited images were transmitted. Investigators linked the transmission to a cellular telephone that was seized from Kowalski’s residence under a search warrant.

Kidder said Kowalski provided a statement acknowledging he possessed and then shared the two videos.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. set bond at $200,000 after learning of the probable cause and the fact Kowalski was, at the time of his arrest, on probation for a felony DUI.