Galena police officer possessed child sexual abuse material

The Illinois attorney general has charged a Galena police officer with possessing child sexual abuse material. 23-year-old Eli G. Barthel of Freeport, was charged in Stephenson County Circuit Court with two Class 2 felony counts of child sexual assault material possession and one Class 3 felony count of child sexual assault material possession. According to a press release issued Monday by the office of Illinois Attorney General, Barthel was taken into custody after investigators from the attorney general’s office conducted a search of Bartel’s Freeport residence and “discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation. Court documents state that on or between March 16 and May 29, Barthel possessed three separate computer files showing children “actually or by simulation engaged in” a sex act with another person. Two of the three files depicted children younger than 13, while the third depicted a child younger than 18. Galena City Administrator Matt Oldenburg said the city terminated Barthel’s employment Monday morning after placing him on administrative leave Friday.