Machesney Park man sentenced to 12 years for possessing, reproducing child pornography

A Machesney Park man was sentenced today to 12 years in prison for possessing and reproducing child pornography, according to a news release form Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Robert Rossi, 40, was sentenced by Winnebago County Judge John Lowry following his guilty plea in June to one count of possessing child pornography.

"Reproducing child pornography perpetuates the sexual assault of children and only causes further devastation to the victims," Madigan said in a news release. "We will continue to be relentless in apprehending offenders who download and trade these horrific images."

In June 2015, investigators with Madigan's office and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at Rossi's home in Machesney Park, where they found evidence that child pornography was being reproduced.

The office of Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato assisted the attorney general's office in prosecuting the case.

"The Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office believes this sentence sends a clear message to other predators that this behavior will not be tolerated," Bruscato said in a news release. "We will continue to relentlessly work to seek justice for the victims of these types of crimes and will use all available means to do it."