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Rockford IceHogs hockey player faces 'revenge porn' charges

Chicago Blackhawks prospect accused of distributing sexual video of Sycamore woman

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SYCAMORE – A Chicago Blackhawks prospect faces felony "revenge porn" charges after police say he distributed a private, sexual video of a Sycamore woman.

Garret E. Ross, 23, of Rockford is accused of using an explicit video of the woman to get revenge on her because he blamed her for his girlfriend breaking up with him.

Ross now faces charges of nonconsensual dissemination of a private sexual video, a crime punishable by one to three years in prison.

Ross is a left-winger in his third season with the Rockford IceHogs, an affiliate of the Blackhawks.

The woman contacted Sycamore police in September because she was concerned about a private video she made in January being sent to other men.

The victim told authorities the video was meant only for a man she was dating at the time, another IceHogs player who has not been charged, court records show.

The victim told police Ross was angry with her and suspected she told his then-girlfriend he was using a dating app to cheat on her, court records show.

Ross sent the pornographic video Aug. 31 from his phone to the woman, who then feared it had been sent to other men without her permission.

Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a measure in late December 2014 making the nonconsensual distribution of private sexual images a felony.

Ross' attorney, John Palmer, was not immediately available to comment, and Anderson and DeKalb County State's Attorney Richard Schmack declined to comment on whether the video had been sent to other men or if more charges would be filed.

Ross' teammate has not been charged because police were not able to find the video on his phone, Sycamore Police Cmdr. Michael Anderson said.

"We would have to get a copy of that media, not just the record," he said.

Ross has been out on bond since posting $500 bail of the $5,000 bond set on the warrant for his arrest.

DeKalb County Judge Philip Montgomery agreed to allow Ross to travel outside the U.S. and Canada to compete with the team, records show.

He is due back in court Monday.