"Beyond words:" 48-year-old Racine Co. man faces 10 counts of possession of child porn

RACINE -- 48-year-old Racine County man was taken into custody on January 18th for possession of child pornography and possession of a firearm by a felon. This, after the Racine County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau executed a search warrant.

Steven Christenson now faces 10 counts of possession of child pornography.

"He is harming the community, and these victims," the court commissioner said Monday, January 23rd as Christenson made his initial appearance in court.

The search warrant was executed on January 17th. A criminal complaint says investigators found child pornography on a laptop Christenson used. How

The search warrant was developed and executed by members of the Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes against Children (ICAC) Unit as part of an ongoing investigation. The ICAC Unit is involved in the investigation of any potential threats or crimes committed against children utilizing the internet.

"We`re always working very closely with a lot of website providers and web entities to provide tips," Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said.

Sheriff Schmaling said in this case, a popular web service provider offered the tip after discovering child porn uploaded by Christenson.

"To think that in this community there is an individual out there viewing images of children in various stages of undress, and compromising positions -- I take exception to it. It is beyond words," Sheriff Schmaling said.

Christenson is being held at the Racine County Jail for possession of child pornography and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Cash bond has been set at $100,000 and he'll be in court on February 2nd for his preliminary hearing.

If convicted on all counts, Christenson could be ordered to pay up to $100,000 in fines and spend up to 250 years in prison.