Wisconsin Department of Justice Agents Partner with Madison Police Department in ICAC Operation

Joel M. Hunter Arrested, Charged with 40 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography

MADISON — On Friday, February 10, 2012, Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) executed a search warrant at the residence of Joel Hunter, located at 301 Harbour Town Drive in Madison.

According to the criminal complaint, a review by a DCI Special Agent of some items of computer media revealed more than 700 movies, with many of them having file names consistent with child pornography, and more than 200 image files with some of them having file names consistent with child pornography. According to the complaint, Hunter told investigators he knew that child pornography was illegal to possess, and he admitted to investigators to saving some child pornography files on an external hard drive.

Seized as a result of the search warrant were computers, numerous items of computer media, many VHS tapes and photographs, clothing, miscellaneous documents and digital cameras.

Hunter was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography and taken to the Dane County Jail by Madison Police. He has been charged with 40 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, a felony. Hunter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing February 21, 2012, at 8:30 a.m.

The Madison Police Department is an affiliate of Wisconsin's ICAC Task Force. Questions concerning this case should be directed to the Dane County District Attorney's Office. A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.