A Frankfort man has been charged with multiple felonies after investigators found videos of him engaging in sexual acts with a child, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
In February, the Will County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Steven Cardenas, 30, of the 20700 block of Woodlawn Court in Frankfort.
Cardenas was subsequently charged with child pornography violations in Will County. In the course of their continuing investigation, Will County Sheriff’s investigators discovered multiple images of child pornography on Cardenas’ electronic devices that they believed may have been produced in Cook County.
On March 5, the images were turned over to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office where investigators found nine videos depicting Cardenas engaging in sexual activity with a child at various times and locations in 2017 and 2018. Cook County Sheriff’s investigators were able to locate the victim and determine that the abuse took place within Cook County.
Cardenas was arrested on Wednesday, March 11, and appeared for a bond hearing at the Markham Courthouse on Thursday, March 12 charged with 9 counts of production of pornography and 7 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. Each of the charges is a Class X felony punishable by 6 to 30 years imprisonment upon conviction.
Cardenas was denied bond, and his next court date is scheduled for March 31.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.