From the State’s Attorney:
DONALD J. PETERS SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON FOLLOWED BY FOUR YEARS OF SEX OFFENDER PROBATION FOR SOLICITATION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on June 6, 2025, Donald J. Peters, 36, of Cary, Illinois, was sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections followed by four years of Sex Offender probation on two counts of the offense of Solicitation of Child Pornography.
Peters was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Mark Gerhardt after entering a negotiated plea of guilty.
In March of 2023, the Algonquin Police Department began an investigation after a minor child reported receiving inappropriate messages via SnapChat from someone that she believed to be an adult.
Detectives ultimately identified that person to be Peters.
In the messages, Peters demanded that the child send nude photos of themselves depicted in a lewd pose or posture.
Further investigation into Peters social media accounts revealed he had contacted additional minors demanding similar images.
Ultimately, Peters pleaded guilty, in two separate cases, to Solicitation of Child Pornography and Attempt Solicitation of Child Pornography.
Peters was sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the first charge to be followed by four years of Sex Offender Probation on the second charge upon his release from the Department of Corrections.
Peters will also be placed on Mandatory Supervised Release for three years to his natural life following his release from custody. Peters must register as a sex offender for life for both offenses.
“This should serve as a reminder to parents to check your children’s phones and talk to them about their social media accounts. Without this smart and brave child reporting the messages they received, this man would still be out there soliciting images from children,” Freese stated. Ms. Freese also appreciates the investigative efforts and continued dedication of Detective Skrodzki of the Algonquin Police Department.
These cases were successfully prosecuted by Deputy Chief Margaret O’Brien.
