Convicted child porn offender Joshua Hazelbaker jailed in new Peoria probe after 10-year federal sentence: police

“I THOUGHT I WAS DONE WITH PRISON”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, POLICE SAY A 50-YEAR-OLD ILLINOIS MAN WHO SERVED TIME FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN A NEW CSAM INVESTIGATION… AND HE HAS BEEN ORDERED HELD IN JAIL PENDING TRIAL.

A Peoria man who previously served a federal prison sentence is back in custody.

Joshua Hazelbaker, 50, was arrested after police linked him to a new child sexual abuse material probe.

According to police, the investigation began in July.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children triggered the inquiry after sending a CyberTip regarding CSAM found on a user account.

Detectives then launched an effort to trace that account to an individual.

To identify Hazelbaker as the suspect, detectives reportedly utilized multiple search warrants across online platforms.

That investigative process eventually directed officers to a local residence.

Peoria police executed a court-approved search at a residence located on North Brandywine.

During that search, investigators seized several electronic devices from the home.

Hazelbaker was taken into custody following the operation.

And records show this is not the first time he has faced such accusations.

In 2018, Hazelbaker was sentenced to 10½ years in federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving and possessing child pornography.

The federal court also ordered a 15-year period of supervised release following that incarceration.

Yet it is not yet clear exactly when he was released from federal custody prior to this latest arrest.

Now, he is facing another CSAM charge.

A judge has ordered Hazelbaker held in jail pending trial on the new charge.

His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 24.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.