A Beardstown man was arrested by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations today after a months long investigation into child pornography and sexual contact with an animal. 22 year old Dalton Gallaher of Beardstown was booked into the Schuyler County Jail today for two counts of distributing and possession of child pornography and one count of sex with an animal.
On March 5th, ISP DCI Zone 4 Investigators initiated an investigation after learning Gallaher was distributing child pornography through the Internet. A thorough investigation ensued, and during the course of the investigation ISP investigators, with assistance from the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Internet Crimes against Children Task Force (ICAC), gathered evidence supporting the arrest.
Yesterday, a search warrant was applied for and granted for the residence of Gallaher through the Cass County Circuit Court. The search warrant was executed today, and additional evidence was collected. Gallaher was arrested and charged with two counts Possession of Child Pornography (Class 1 Felonies), and one count Sexual Contact with an Animal (Class 4 Felony). Gallaher is being lodged at the Schuyler County Jail awaiting a bond hearing. Additional charges are pending review by the Cass County State’s Attorney John Alvarez.
Anyone who has additional information is encouraged to contact ISP at (217) 782-4750. Anonymous tips of child pornography can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.