Retired Illinois Sheriff’s Sergeant Charged with Child Sex Abuse, Child Porn Involving 14, 15 Year Old Girls
Wilmette, Illinois – In a shocking turn of events, a retired Cook County sheriff’s sergeant, John Pradun, is now facing charges of child sex abuse, possession of child pornography, and other crimes involving minors. The arrest was made on July 17, following a tip received by the Wilmette Police Department regarding possible sexual abuse of a minor.
During the investigation, detectives unearthed compelling evidence that Pradun had committed sexual offenses against two teenage girls in June. Furthermore, it was discovered that Pradun had exposed a minor to an explicit digital photograph of himself and had been providing drugs and alcohol to minors.
To gather more evidence, the police obtained search warrants and successfully seized Alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, as well as electronic devices containing incriminating child pornography material.
Pradun now faces a series of charges, including two counts of aggravated child sex abuse, one count of grooming a child, one count of indecent solicitation of a child, possession of harmful material, possession of child pornography, and possession of a controlled substance.
According to WGN, the alleged sex offenses were committed against two girls aged 14 and 15. Prosecutors have also revealed that Pradun, during frequent parties at his residence, allegedly provided the female victims with marijuana, alcohol, Xanax, and cigarettes. It is worth noting that the girls in attendance were aware of Pradun’s background in law enforcement, often referring to him by the nickname “Po-Po,” as reported by The Chicago Tribune.
This distressing case highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in protecting minors from potential predators. The Wilmette Police Department’s swift response and thorough investigation serve as a reminder that law enforcement agencies are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our community’s most vulnerable members.
