Franklin Grove man charged with possession of child pornography

DIXON – A 32-year-old Franklin Grove man is free on bond, charged with six counts of possession of child pornography.

Travis R. Currens was arrested around noon Thursday at the Dixon Police station after an investigation that began in August, police said in a news release.

Currens faces 3 to 7 years in prison on each count, and if convicted of more than one count, the terms must run consecutively. He also could be sentenced to up to 6 months probation on each count.

Each count also comes with a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000, up to $100,000.

Bond was set at $10,000; he posted $1,000 on Friday and has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 13 in Lee County Court.

Additional charges are pending, the release said.

According to the probable cause affidavit, members of the Illinois Crimes Against Children Task Force searched Currens’ home around 4 a.m. Thursday.

During an interview with a Dixon Police detective, Currens allegedly said he downloaded movies he found online using the search term “preteen.” He also admitted to having images of child pornography on his phone, which were found, the detective said in the affidavit.

Other phones and devices are being examined, police said.

The Department of Homeland Security, of which the task force is part, and the Lee and Whiteside County sheriff’s offices aided the investigation, the release said.