Police: Steger man arrested for 1,000 images, video of child pornography

JOLIET – A former Chicago Heights special education teacher was arrested for allegedly possessing more than 1,000 videos and images of child pornography.

Will County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Michael P. Levin, 62, of Ashland Avenue, Steger, on the charge Tuesday, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

In October 2017, investigators with the sheriff’s office were notified that an investigation had begun regarding a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The investigation reportedly revealed that a possible suspect was located in Will County.

Sheriff’s detectives took over the case and continued the investigation. On Feb. 8, they met with Levin at his home. Levin reportedly was cooperative and gave detectives consent to search his home and electronic devices.

The detectives discovered through a forensic investigation that Levin allegedly possessed more than 1,000 videos and images of child pornography. He was arrested and jailed Tuesday on a $500,000 bond, of which 10 percent is needed for bail.

Levin was a former special education teacher at Special Education Joint Agreement School District 802 in Chicago Heights for more than 39 years and recently retired, according to the sheriff’s office.

The district is a cooperative of
15 school districts that provides specialized instruction and related services to students with disabilities, according to their website.