Child porn suspect from Illinois brought to justice after two-year international manhunt

Law enforcement officials have tracked down an Illinois man who was on the run internationally since 2016 after he posted bail on child pornography charges, WBBM-TV reported.

Raul Reisenberg, 34, led members of the Great Lakes Regional Task Force and U.S. Marshals on a two-year, international manhunt before he finally landed back in jail this week in Lake County, Illinois.

“I’m innocent,” Reisenberg said, according to WBBM. He also said he fled the country in an attempt to “save my family.”

What was he charged with?

In October 2016, Reisenberg was charged with six counts of child pornography, including its reproduction, according to the report. After he posted bail, he disappeared.

“It’s a very serious crime in our eyes and yes, this would be a high priority guy to go after,” Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said, WBBM reported.

Reisenberg was located after members of the task force contacted a division of the U.S. Marshals Service that tracks international fugitives. Curran said that Reisenberg’s passport was red-flagged.

Reisenberg traveled from the Chicago area to his native Estonia and then went to Mexico. Next, he traveled to Germany, where he was caught Thursday and extradited, according to the report.

“It’s very satisfying work, knowing that at the end of the day you’re making a difference not only in your community, but for the victims,” task force Sgt. James McKinney told the TV station.

McKinney added that tracking and extraditing a suspect is considered a priority, even though it involves a lot of time and red tape.

“We gotta share in credit with them, it’s not us. It’s law enforcement working together,” Curran said.

Are any additional charges expected?

When he was arrested in 2016, Reisenberg was living in Mundelein, Illinois.

Reisenberg could face additional charges in bond court Friday. Bond, if granted at all, is also likely to be higher, according to the report.