Vermilion Co. man accused of possessing child porn worked as child welfare specialist

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA confirmed the suspect in a Vermilion County child sexual abuse materials case has worked as a child welfare specialist.

State Police arrested 24-year-old Connor Gilonske on Thursday after a search warrant was executed at his home in Hoopeston. He faces 12 charges of possession of child pornography.

State Police arrests Hoopeston man for possessing child sex abuse material

A spokesperson for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois confirmed with WCIA Tuesday afternoon that Gilonske was an employee, but was "terminated immediately" after learning of his arrest. They said the organization was not made aware of Gilonske's arrest and charges until Friday.

According to his social media accounts, Gilonske started working at LSSI this summer. According to Gilonske's social media, he also worked at CASA of Vermilion and Edgar Counties for more than a year before LSSI. WCIA reached out to CASA for comment, but has not heard back yet.

Court records show a judge denied Gilonske pre-trial release Tuesday.

Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse material can be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tip Line.

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