By JOHN A. BALLENTINE
For The Prairie News
WYOMING – A 51-year-old Wyoming man was arrested April 15 for one count of possessing and receiving child pornography and one count of child pornography distribution.
David Dwight Shallenberger was taken into custody and transported to the Bureau County Jail. Wyoming Police Chief Jim Tiller and Galesburg Police Officer Eryn Pearson were the arresting officers.
At a hearing on April 17 in Stark County Circuit Court, Judge Paul E. Bauer ruled that Shallenberger was to be released with a GPS monitoring device. The state had submitted a petition of non-release from incarceration.
The Galesburg Police Department has an ongoing investigation of Shallenberger but had not yet filed charges at the time of his hearing. Tiller said other residents at Shallenberger’s residence are not believed to not be involved.
Bauer said at the hearing that possession of child pornography is a Class 2 felony punishable by 3-7 years (and up to 14 years if extendable) in the Illinois Department of Corrections, one year of mandatory supervised release after prison or up to 48 months of probation and associated fines.
At the hearing, Stark County State’s Attorney Austin King said Galesburg police started investigating Shallenberger after receiving information about his use of child pornography.
“He admitted to the investigator and interviewer Eryn Pearson that three years ago he possessed porn,” King said. “Subsequent investigations showed that he had 10 images presently on three electronic devices he possessed. He also admitted that he prefers male children and admitted to a prior assault of an underaged boy.”
King continued stating, “There is enough evidence for detaining him. He is a threat to the community and to minor children. He admits that he is addicted to child pornography.”
Public Defender Robert M. McBride said Shallenberger has no prior offenses or convictions.
“There is no specific person in danger,” McBride said. “I request that he be ordered on a GPS device and have no access to electronic devices.”
Shallenberger told Bauer he lives in a house in Wyoming with two roommates, ages 38 and 20. He has lived there for nine months since moving from Galesburg. One roommate has underaged sisters who visit the house.
“The roommates should be made aware of these restrictions of no contact with individuals under 18 years old,” Bauer said. “There is evident proof that he poses a real threat to children. I find there are threats in the Safety Act.”
McBride was appointed Shallenberger’s public defender. Shallenberger has a Friday, April 25, date scheduled for his next court appearance. Bauer said Circuit Court Judge James A. Mack will review Shallenberger’s pre-trial release at that time.
