Categories: Chicago

Child Pornography Possession Charges for Registered Sex Offender

A Chicago man who allegedly possessed numerous sexually explicit videos of children has been indicted on a federal child pornography charge. 36-year old Joseph Werwath is charged with one count of possession of child pornography. He could be facing enhanced sentencing penalties. The penalties a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison and a maximum of 20 years.

The mandatory sentencing is due to his prior qualifying conviction involving a minor, for which Werwath has had to register as a sex offender. According to a criminal complaint previously filed in the case, federal law enforcement searched his residence last month through a court-authorized search. The authorities observed a video depicting child pornography playing on an electronic device in a bedroom.

According to the complaint, about 40 other videos depicting child pornography were discovered on the device. The charged is currently detained in federal custody. This morning, he was arraigned in U.S. District Court in Chicago this morning. He played not guilty to the child pornography charge. The next court date was set for Sept. 9, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.

John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI announced the indictment. FBI Chicago Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force conducted the investigation. The Task Force includes the Chicago Police Department, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Harwood Heights Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason A. Julien is representing the government. The defendant is assumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

Adyson Sipes

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

10 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

10 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

11 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

11 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

11 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.