Aggravated Child Pornography charges filed against soccer coach

June 16

JOLIET – The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that three charges of Aggravated Child Pornography and one charge of child pornography were filed this afternoon against Darrell Stephenson, 24, of 2038 Manico Court, Crest Hill in an ongoing investigation.

Stephenson initially was charged with two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse on June 13. He is being held on $750,000 bond in connection with the Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse charges and would have to post $75,000 to secure his release while awaiting trial.

With the filing of the separate Aggravated Child Pornography charges today, a Will County Judge set an additional bond of $150,000 at the request of the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. Stephenson would have to post an additional $15,000 to secure his release while awaiting trial.  He is scheduled to appear in court next for preliminary hearing or arraignment on all charges on July 5.

Aggravated Child Pornography is a Class 2 Felony that carries a sentence ranging from 3-7 years in prison upon conviction. Probation is also a sentencing option. Child Pornography is a Class 3 Felony that carries a penalty of 2-5 years in prison with a possibility of probation.

The new charges allege the defendant possessed child pornography in the form of digital videos and digital photographs on an external computer hard drive. Investigators took possession of the computers pursuant to a search warrant in the investigation of the Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse allegations.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone who has information that can assist in the investigation is urged to contact:

The Will County Sheriff’s Department
Investigations Division
(815) 727-8574.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.