Lake Forest children's coach facing child porn charges: Lake County officials

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WLS) -- Jarrett Malec, 25, was a baseball and basketball coach for kids 12 or younger in Lake Forest.

He now faces three counts of child pornography after being investigated over the past couple of years.

Malec, of Round Lake, was arrested earlier this month after investigators said they found nearly 700 child pornography files in his possession.

This story was first reported by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

Investigators said when Malec was a student at Iowa State University, a 2021 cyber tip first reported that a user uploaded files containing child pornography. The case was transferred to Round Lake Police in April 2022.

Last month, detectives went to Malec's home, informing him of the investigation. Lake County, Illinois prosecutors said Malec admitted to downloading explicit photos and videos of children through a website.

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Prosecutors said he voluntarily turned over his electronic devices to the police, and also admitted to trading child pornography. Investigators said multiple videos and images were located of what appeared to be young children engaging in sex acts.

Malec's attorney said his client has been cooperative with detectives, saying, "We have no further information other than the allegations presented by the state during my client's bond hearing, a hearing for which my client voluntarily turned himself in to the Lake County Sheriff's Department."

Malec's bond was set at $500,000, and he was released from the Lake County Jail after posting 10%. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.