Ex-Ill. Rep. Keith Farnham indicted on more child porn charges

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A federal grand jury has returned a four-count indictment charging a former Illinois state representative with possessing, receiving, and transporting child pornography, federal law enforcement officials announced Friday.

Former Illinois State Representative Keith Farnham was initially charged with one count of possession of child pornography in a criminal complaint filed last month in U.S. District Court.

Graphic and disturbing details of the allegations were outlined in a federal criminal complaint earlier this month.

Voters in Elgin first elected Farnham, 66, to the State House five years ago. During his stay in Springfield, he co-sponsored legislation designed to toughen penalties against those who would sexually abuse children.

"I love the people that sent me to Springfield, they've been very good to me," he said.

Farnham has pulmonary fibrosis and is in need of a lung transplant as a result of hepatitis C. When he abruptly resigned his House seat in March, Farnham cited health reasons, not then acknowledging the child pornography charges that have been brought against him.

A government investigation into porn trading last summer led cyber crimes agents to an email address later linked to Farnham. In an Instant Messenger conversation, Farnham allegedly said to an alleged child porn trader, "Send me some more. It is hot."

In another graphic exchange, Farnham allegedly said, "Twelve is about as old as I can handle. I love them at six, seven, eight." And in yet another, Farnham allegedly chats, "I wish I had access to all the vids and pics ever made."

Investigators say they found child pornography images on his home computer, and two videos were found on his State of Illinois office computer.

Farnham is on electronic monitoring and cannot leave his home without permission. He cannot access the Internet, and is not allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18.