Chicago veterinarian who allegedly planned to sexually assault unborn child denied pre-trial release
*WARNING: This story may be disturbing to some readers. Read at your own discretion*
CHICAGO — A Chicago veterinarian and dog show judge is accused of distributing child pornography and allegedly planning to sexually assault his unborn child, according to an FBI criminal complaint filed Thursday.
The criminal complaint was filed in the Northern District of Illinois against Adam Stafford King, 39, a veterinary ophthalmologist who lives in Elburn, Illinois.
The complaint alleges King "knowingly distributed child pornography."
King is a staff ophthalmologist at MedVet Chicago and the Ophthalmology Department Lead for MedVet nationally, according to the FBI. His bio was still on MedVet’s website until late Monday afternoon, when the disturbing allegations were brought to light.
In addition to working as an animal eye care specialist, King is also a dog breeder and dog show judge who travels to shows around the country.
It’s been revealed that federal authorities have been investigating King for several months.
Last October, the FBI arrested a suspect in New York City who had been communicating with King through the encrypted messaging service Telegram.
On Sep. 11, 2023, King allegedly texted the New York suspect that he preferred children in the "single digits," according to the FBI.
The New York suspect gave the FBI access to his Telegram account to interact with King. In the months following, FBI agents texted King, who replied with images and videos showing child pornography. King, who posted under the username @pervchidude, also claimed to have "a large digital cache of child pornography" on the app. King allegedly told the undercover FBI agents that he had previously drugged and sexually abused his young relatives.
On Nov. 9, 2023, King said on Telegram that he was married "[to] a non perv," who is his husband and that they are expecting a child "through surrogacy" this spring, according to the complaint. King then expressed his plans to sexually assault the child when it is no longer a newborn, prosecutors said.
Through the messaging app, King also allegedly shared a photo of an outfit for his unborn child and an ultrasound image.
Also on Nov. 9, 2023, King allegedly described giving his young relatives double the adult dose of Benadryl before sexually assaulting them.
On March 5, the FBI executed a search warrant at King's residence in Elburn where they found him in the shower with his cellphone, despite announcing themselves several times.
Agents found a baby outfit and an ultrasound image in the home that matched the images sent by King over Telegram, officials said.
Officials conducted forensics on King's cell phone. Records and IP addresses obtained by the FBI showed King sending explicit messages from various hotels across the country that took place close to dog shows or dog events in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania.
Up until Monday, King was a dog show judge for the American Kennel Club.
On Monday afternoon, an AKC spokesperson said:
"We are aware of the charges against Dr. King. We have removed his AKC judging privileges and will continue to monitor the case as it moves through the courts."
King was also a dog breeder and runs the breeding service Askin Havanese. According to its website, their waitlist is "currently closed."
Despite repeated requests for a statement from MedVet on Monday, FOX 32 Chicago did not hear back.
FOX 32 Chicago has been in contact with King’s attorneys, who said they have "no comment."
King appeared in federal court Tuesday afternoon, where a judge granted the state's motion for detention pending trial.
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**WARNING: SOME MAY FIND THE CONTENTS DISTURBING**