From the State’s Attorney:
LAWRENCE M. ROOT SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on October 23, 2025, Lawrence M. Root, 51, of Island Lake, Illinois, was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Child Pornography, a Class X felony.
Root was sentenced by the honorable Judge Mark Gerhardt after entering a negotiated plea of guilty to the charge.
On March 21, 2025, detectives from the Woodstock Police Department began an investigation of possible child sexual abuse material (CSAM) being shared on the file sharing network eDonkey.
The investigation led them to an IP address associated with an address in Island Lake that was both downloading and sharing CSAM files.
Detectives determined the user to be Root, associating both the IP address and user account information to him directly.
On June 5, 2025, detectives responded to Root’s address and took him into custody. Investigators also retrieved two computers and other electronic devices from the home. A search of those devices revealed numerous CSAM files.
During the investigation, Root ultimately admitted to being in possession of and sharing files that contained child pornography.
Upon release, Root will be placed on Mandatory Supervised Release for a period of three years to natural life.
He must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
State’s Attorney Freese commends the members of the Woodstock Police Department, Island Lake Police Department, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on their collaborative efforts in both investigating and apprehending Root.
“This case exemplifies the advancements our law enforcement partners have made in their ability to detect and identify these specific internet criminals.
“It’s not as easy to hide your identity on the dark web any longer.” Freese stated.
This case was successfully prosecuted by First Assistant Ashur Y. Youash.
