Prairie State Wire

A Chicago man has been charged with receiving and distributing child pornography, according to a criminal complaint unsealed in federal court. Authorities allege that Jaron Woodsley, 27, used the Telegram social media application last fall to share images of child pornography with another individual. The complaint states that Woodsley distributed at least thirteen videos and received six videos from this person. The other individual involved was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Colorado last year.

Woodsley was arrested Friday morning and is scheduled for an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez in Chicago at 2:00 p.m.

The announcement was made by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige A. Nutini is representing the government.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and could result in up to 20 years if convicted. Authorities emphasized that "the public is reminded that a complaint is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt."

Anyone who believes they are a victim of sexual exploitation can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their website or by calling 1-800-843-5678; assistance is available around the clock.