waterman Man Sentenced to Jail, Probation for Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material
WATERMAN, IL – William K. Frieders, 37, of Waterman, was sentenced to 42 days in the DeKalb County Jail and 24 months of probation after pleading guilty to eight counts of unlawful possession of child sex abuse materials, a Class 2 felony. The charges stemmed from a year-long investigation initiated in May 2023 by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office after receiving a cybertip through the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Snapchat and Kik reported a user with a DeKalb County IP address possessing child sexual abuse material, leading deputies to identify Frieders as the account holder. A search of Frieders’ phone in october 2024 revealed more than 50 files of child sexual abuse material, according to court records.
Frieders initially faced 15 counts, but seven where dropped as part of a plea deal with the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office. Circuit Court Judge Philip Montgomery sentenced Frieders on Sept. 9, with credit given for three days already served.The sentence, which began Sept. 23,is contingent upon completion of court-ordered psychological treatment.
Additionally, Frieders is required to register as a sex offender in Illinois and is prohibited from being near schools or spaces frequented by children.
The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office was contacted in September 2024 by the West Virginia State Police, who were investigating a solicitation case involving a 14-year-old girl who received nude images from an adult male. Search warrants indicated the solicitation was linked to Frieders.