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Best Buy 'Geek Squad' Helps Cops Bust Man With Child Porn On Computer

(CBS) – A Wilmette man who took his computer equipment to be serviced at Best Buy faces criminal charges after authorities allegedly uncovered child-pornography files, Cook County prosecutors said.

Patrick Kearney, 32, is charged with one count of child pornography, a Class X felony, and one count of child pornography, a Class 2 felony, according to a news release from Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez's office.

Kearney dropped off computer equipment at a Best Buy store on July 8, asking that media from his original computer be transferred to a new machine, the news release said. The following day, Best Buy "Geek Squad" employees noticed file folders with suspicious-sounding names.

Northbrook police investigated, opening a file that contained child pornography, prosecutors said.

A forensic review of Kearney's computer revealed more than 20 videos and images of underage female children engaged in sexual acts with adult men, authorities said.

Kearney was arrested this week and appeared in court; his bond was set at $15,000, prosecutors said.

No further information was available.

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