Zachary Dennert, Produced Child Pornography, Illinois 2020

A 19-year-old Belleville man has been indicted for producing and distributing child pornography in federal court. Zachary Dennert, 19, of Belleville, Illinois, is accused of coercing two minors, including one under the age of 12 years old, to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. The offenses occurred between January and August 2020.

The four-count federal indictment further alleges that Dennert transported images of a third minor victim in August 2020 and distributed an image of child pornography over the internet in September 2020.

Dennert appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mark A. Beatty on May 26, 2021, and entered a not guilty plea. He is being held in custody pending a detention hearing next week.

Each count of producing child pornography is punishable by at least 15 years and up to 30 years in prison. For the other charges, Dennert faces a possible penalty of 5-20 years’ imprisonment. All four counts are also punishable by a fine of up to $250,000.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by O’Fallon Police Department and United States Secret Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexandria Burns is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdil/pr/belleville-man-indicted-producing-child-pornography