Villa Park man faces child pornography charges

Bail was set at $30,000 Tuesday following the arrest of a Villa Park man who faces a series of child pornography charges.

David C. Hibbeler, 68, of the 100 block of North Summit Avenue, was charged with four counts of possessing visual reproductions of child pornography, according to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office.

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensic Investigation Unit, along with the Villa Park Police Department, executed a search warrant Monday at Hibbeler’s residence. The warrant was signed following an undercover internet investigation into the possession and distribution of child pornography files.

A forensic examination of Hibbeler’s digital electronics revealed the presence of child pornography files. The Glendale Heights and Lombard police departments assisted in the investigation.

“Our digital forensics unit is picking right up where they left off at the end of the year and are starting 2021 with a renewed commitment to finding and bringing to justice those who deal in child pornography,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said in a statement. “Unfortunately this is the first of many of these cases they will present to prosecutors in the coming year.”

Hibbeler’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 12.

“Every day, child pornographers steal the innocence from thousands of young boys and girls, some less than a year old,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.”These young victims cannot protect themselves from the severe emotional and physical harm inflicted upon them by these sexual predators. The DuPage County Sheriff’ DuPage County State’s Attorney Roberts Office however, continues to do a tremendous job of identifying and locating suspected child pornographers, as is alleged in this case. I commend them for their ongoing efforts in protecting our children from child pornographers.”