Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Partner in Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Operation

                Grant M. Rondorf, of Madison, Charged with  14 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography.

MADISON — On Tuesday, January 29, 2013, federal agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), along with special agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), executed a federal search warrant at the home of Grant M. Rondorf, located at 327 Village Green Lane West in Madison. 

On Friday, February 1, 2013, Rondorf was charged with 14 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, a felony.  A preliminary hearing in this case is scheduled for tomorrow, February 7, 2013, in Dane County Circuit Court at 8:30 am.    

According to the Criminal Complaint, the suspect’s IP address and email account had been associated with child pornography.  During an interview at his residence, Rondorf admitted to agents that he possesses, collects and distributes child pornography, according to the complaint.  A forensic preview of files from a laptop computer and removable storage device, both belonging to Rondorf, uncovered 10 video files and dozens of images consistent with child pornography. 

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-347-2423 or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to the Dane County District Attorney's Office.  A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence.  The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.