Former Ill. Rep. Keith Farnham pleads guilty to child porn charges

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former State Rep. Keith Farnham changed his plea to guilty Friday in a child pornography case.

Earlier this year, Farnham pleaded not guilty, but the former state representative for the 43rd District changed his plea to guilty on the condition he continues his home detention until his March 19, 2015 sentencing.

Normally he would be jailed until then, but the judge agreed to hold off on imprisonment since Farnham is gravely ill. He has bladder cancer, Hepatitis C and pulmonary fibrosis. He carried an oxygen tank with him in court Friday and his attorney says Farnham isn't expected to live long without a lung transplant.

"You all heard it. He's going to get a minimum of five years. He's going to go into custody. And, frankly, I could care less if the public thinks he should go in today as opposed to going in March or May," said Terry Ekl, Farnham's attorney. "He has accepted responsibility for his conduct, which we all agree, is something none of us can understand."

More than 2,700 images of minors engaging in sex acts were obtained from computers in Farnham's home and office. Many of the images depicted horrific scenes including violence and sadism, with some victims as young as two years of age. His attorney says Farnham's illness, however, stopped short of having any inappropriate conduct with children.

Those who help the victims of child porn say make no mistake - even though Farnham did not sexually abuse children, his actions empowered others.

"It perpetuates the cycle of abuse and the negative impact of trauma," said Allison Baughman, supervisor, Community Counselling Centers of Chicago.

Federal sentencing guidelines call for a minimum five years behind bars; Farnham could get as much as 20. The punishment, however, for the victims of his crimes, is a lifetime of rehabilitation.

Ekl says his client has a "sickness" and is in treatment.