Park Ridge Man Charged With Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

PARK RIDGE, IL — A 55-year-old Park Ridge man has been charged after police said investigators recovered electronic devices containing child sexual abuse material during a search of his home.

Carlos E. Morales, of Park Ridge, is accused of two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, a Class 1 felony, and one count of violating sex offender registration requirements, according to the Park Ridge Police Department.

The investigation began after Park Ridge police received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children regarding a Dropbox account allegedly containing child sexual abuse material, police said.

Through search warrants served on Dropbox and the associated internet service provider, investigators identified the account as being associated with a residence in the 800 block of North Delphia Avenue in Park Ridge, according to police.

On June 23, Park Ridge detectives executed a residential search warrant. During the search, investigators recovered electronic devices that police said allegedly contained numerous images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material.

Police said the investigation also determined Morales allegedly failed to report an email address as required under the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.

The Park Ridge Police Department thanked NCMEC for its assistance in the investigation, along with the Wilmette Police Department K-9 Unit and Gizmo, an electronic detection dog.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact the Park Ridge Police Department at 847-318-5252.