DOJ Agents Partner With Jackson County Sheriff's Department In ICAC Operation - Luke O. Gilbert Of Melrose Arrested

Luke O. Gilbert of Melrose Arrested

MELROSE - Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation along with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant at the home of Luke O. Gilbert located at W13519 W. Bolger Road in Melrose, WI on April 28, 2009.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation had received  information from the Delaware County, Pennsylvania Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force which indicated that a subject in the State of Wisconsin was involved in the trading of child pornography.

According to the complaint, an investigation revealed that Luke O. Gilbert had viewed and received numerous images of child pornography via his computer. Gilbert admitted that he was "addicted" to pornography, and had been involved in using his computer to view pornography, including child pornography, for approximately the past 5 years. The complaint states that Gilbert had contact with other individuals in an online "trading room" (chat room) from which he did receive some images of child pornography. Gilbert claimed that he deleted the child pornography images, but an on-scene analysis of Gilbert's computer hard drives revealed several images of child pornography.

Two computers were located at Gilbert's residence. According to the complaint, Gilbert also informed agents that he had disposed of two additional computers, which may contain child pornography, at his parent's grainery. Gilbert claimed that he disposed of one of these computers several years earlier because he knew it contained some child pornography. Gilbert consented to agents seizing the computers at the grainery. An analysis of this computer revealed several images of child pornography.

Gilbert was arrested at the scene and transported to the Jackson County Jail. Gilbert was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography.

Questions concerning this case should be directed towards the Jackson County District Attorney's Office.

A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available at: