Ex-Chicago Wolves hockey player, youth coach arrested on child pornography charge: court docs
LAKE COUNTY, Ill. - A former Chicago Wolves ice hockey player and Vernon Hills youth hockey coach was arrested for child pornography possession, according to authorities.
What we know:
Libor Ustrnul, a Czech Republic native, was charged with one count of child pornography possession, a Class 2 felony, according to Lake County court records.
Authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Ustrnul on Feb. 20 and he made his first court appearance and detention hearing on Feb. 21, records show.
Mundelein police provide details
The Mundelein Police Department was notified by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) about a possible case of child pornography involving a local resident.
Investigators obtained multiple search warrants for IP addresses linked to the suspect before conducting a search of a home on the 0-100 block of South Windsor Place on Feb. 11.
During the search, police seized and analyzed several electronic devices, discovering child pornography on one of them. As a result, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for 42-year-old Libor Ustrnul of Mundelein on charges of possession of child pornography.
Ustrnul surrendered himself to the Lake County Jail on February 21. Police have stated that there is no evidence he engaged in illegal physical contact with any children.
The backstory:
Ustrnul previously coached for the Libertyville-Vernon Hills IceCats Hockey Club, but he is no longer listed on the team’s website. The site now reads "TBD."
ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 15: Libor Ustrnul of the Atlanta Thrashers poses for a portrait on September 15, 2003 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by: Getty Images)
Prior to his coaching role, Ustrnul played for the Chicago Wolves for four seasons and was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2000 as a second-round pick, according to the American Hockey League (AHL) website.
What's next:
Ustrnul was granted pre-trial release and is due back in court at 9 a.m. on April 2 for a preliminary hearing.