A community leader and former school administrator in Saunemin is jailed in Livingston County facing child pornography charges. Bond is set at $250,000 for 56-yr-old Mike Stoecklin who was arrested on the Class felony Sunday. Charges include 2-counts of possessing child porn.

Stoecklin is well-known in the Livingston County community.

He was dean of Students & Athletic Director at Saunemin Elementary School, was placed on paid administrative leave on June 18.while the district investigated possible inappropriate use of the schools internet and email systems.

Stoecklin served as the chairman of the Greater Livingston County Economic Development Council from 2008 to 2010, Village of Saunemin Mayor from 1997 to 2009, Pontiac High School Baseball Coach and served the district in a variety roles for over 25 years.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department were notified of the allegations. Stoecklin resigned from all administrative and coaching duties (Monday 6/24).

94.1 WGFA

Ex-Pontiac man arrested in child porn sting in Arizona
A former Pontiac man has been arrested in Surprise, Ariz., on child pornography charges as part of an investigation in Illinois.

U.S. marshals and Surprise police arrested Jay R. Pitchford, 37, on a felony warrant charging him with child pornography. Pitchford is in the Maricopa County jail in Phoenix, with bond set at $25,000 or his extradition to Livingston County.
His arrest was announced Tuesday by Illinois State Police, who said no further information would be released.

Pitchford was arrested Monday after an investigation by Illinois State Police, Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Livingston County State’s Attorney’s Office. Child pornography is a Class X felony. Upon conviction, the charge carries a possible prison term of from six to 30 years.

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