Caroline Neal
RACINE — An 18-year-old Racine man was arrested following cyber tips from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation.
Ernesto Roman faces six counts of possessing child pornography, which is a felony.
The maximum sentence if convicted is a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to 25 years, or both. The court also will impose a surcharge of $500 for each image or copy of an image associated with the crime. Further, if convicted, the court will impose a bifurcated sentence that includes a term of initial confinement for at least three years.
During an April 15 hearing, Racine County Court Commission Alice Rudebusch set Roman’s cash bond at $25,000. He is scheduled to appear in court April 23.
According to a criminal complaint, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office began investigating after receiving two cyber tips, both of which contained child pornography and were generated by WhatsApp, from the Wisconsin DOJ.
Investigators obtained a warrant for the account and submitted it to WhatsApp. Information obtained through the warrant reportedly indicated that Roman was the account owner and revealed six videos containing child pornography.
On April 14, RCSO investigators executed a search warrant at Roman’s home.
According to the complaint, Roman was questioned and allegedly provided information connecting him to the cyber tips and the account.
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