Bond Reduced, But Child Porn Suspect Still In Jail
WHEATON, Ill. (STMW) -- Despite a judge recently reducing his bail, a Naperville man remains held in DuPage County Jail on child pornography and related charges.
Prosecutors allege 37-year-old Eric Hakala posed as a St. Charles East student on a fictitious Facebook account to contact minors in Batavia, Oswego and Naperville, engage in sexually explicit conversations and trade photos.
He was charged in October after a lengthy investigation by police in the three towns, as well as the U.S. Marshal's Office.
During a recent hearing, a DuPage County judge cut Hakala's bail to $500,000 from $1 million despite an objection by prosecutors. Hakala's attorney noted Hakala has been a self-employed remodeling and refinishing contractor since 2007.
If he is able to post bond, the divorced Hakala will live in Naperville with his adoptive mother, and would be placed on electronic home monitoring, according to court records. He would also be prohibited from using the Internet or a cellphone, the order states.
Hakala, who was previously a registered sex offender, is scheduled to return to court April 29.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)