Illinois man indicted for allegedly receiving, possessing child pornography

CHICAGO — A two-count federal grand jury indictment was unsealed Wednesday charging an Illinois man with receiving and possessing child pornography.

This investigation is being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Bruce H. Niggemann, 65, of West Dundee, Illinois, was indicted April 16 on one count of receiving and one count of possessing child pornography, all via computer. The indictment was under seal until Niggemann’s arrest Wednesday morning. He was arraigned April 22 in U.S. District Court before Charles R. Judge Norgle Sr. Niggemann remains in federal custody until his detention hearing, which is scheduled for April 27.

The indictment also seeks forfeiture of a laptop computer, a desktop computer and associated hard drives that were seized when HSI special agents executed a federal search warrant at Niggemann’s residence.

In the circumstances in this case, receiving child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 40 years, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.  Possessing child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. Each count also carries a maximum fine of $250,000. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

This indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon, Northern District of Illinois, and Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaarina Salovaara, Northern District of Illinois, is prosecuting this case. Kane County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation.

An indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 10,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.

HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.