A former Illinois state representative is facing federal charges that he possessed child pornography.
U.S. prosecutors allege Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, ran an email account that traded videos of child pornography. Federal investigators say they were led to Farnham after conducting a search warrant on someone else who advertised trading child porn online.
Investigators allege Farnham exchanged videos and chats with that person, including one chat that allegedly read, quote, “i wish i had access to all the vids and pics ever made.” Investigators say they found video files on Farnham’s state-issued computer.
Farnham’s attorney was not immediately available for comment. Farnham has not yet entered a plea.
Possession of child pornography carries a maximum 10 year prison sentence.
Farnham resigned from the Illinois State House last month. In his resignation letter, Farnham wrote that he’d been battling serious health issues for several years and the next few months require his full attention.