DuPage County prosecutors said this morning they have charged a Downers Grove physician with possessing and disseminating child pornography.
Edward J. McMenamin, 67, appeared in bond court this morning where Judge Elizabeth Sexton set bail at $500,000, prosecutors said.
McMenamin was taken into custody Thursday evening at his residence in Downers Grove shortly after authorities issued an arrest warrant, prosecutors said.
Downers Grove Police Lt. Mike Willison said none of the charges against McMenamin are related to his medical practice.
Downers Grove police began an investigation of McMenamin earlier this year after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The investigation, which later included the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office and the Department of Homeland Security, led to McMenamin, who authorities say had numerous images and videos of child pornography in his possession.
He has been charged with five counts of disseminating child pornography and 12 counts of possession.
The website for a Downers Grove medical practice said McMenamin has been practicing there more than 30 years.
In a statement, State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said child pornography is not a victimless crime.
"Any image or video depicting child pornography represents yet another young victim who had their innocence stolen from them just to satisfy the disgusting desires of sexual deviants," Berlin said. "The allegations against Dr. McMenamin are very serious and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."