Deerfield man accused of possessing child pornography, sheriff's police say

Lake County sheriff’s detectives were tipped off by a social media provider that a 49-year-old Deerfield man allegedly possessed child pornography, many images depicting toddlers, officials said.

The tip indicated a device containing the material was likely located in a home in the 400 block of Jonquil Terrace in Deerfield, sheriff’s police said in a statement.

Rami M. Gabriel, 49, of the Jonquil Terrace address, was arrested and charged after a search warrant was executed Thursday and police found electronics that contained dozens of child pornography images and videos of children as young as toddlers, allegedly belonging to Gabriel, the statement said.

Detectives also found alleged evidence indicating Gabriel was allegedly communicating online with others about the forcible sexual assault of victims and expressing a sexual interest in children, according to the statement.

Gabriel was charged with ten counts of possession of child pornography, all of which are felonies, according to the sheriff’s statement.

Officials with the Lake County state’s attorney’s office intend to file a petition to detain Gabriel in jail while he awaits trial. Gabriel remains in custody of the Lake County Jail in Waukegan, records show.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in the statement, “The crimes uncovered in this investigation are deeply disturbing and represent the worst kind of exploitation of children."