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**SNIP** Farnham is accused of using both personal and state-owned computers to trade hundreds of images and videos depicting child pornography and to engage in graphic online chats in which he allegedly bragged about sexually molesting a 6-year-old girl. A federal criminal complaint alleges that Farnham, a Democrat from Elgin, possessed two videos depicting child pornography on a computer that was seized from his state office in Elgin a week before his abrupt resignation in March. Authorities also linked a Yahoo! email account used by Farnham to an online trading forum in which he chatted with other users about his...

Last month, Illinois State Rep. Keith Farnham announced his immediate resignation from the position. Though he said at the time his decision was based on health concerns, his recent arrest cast doubt on the actual reason behind the Democrat’s move. The 66-year-old had state-owned computers seized by federal authorities just before his resignation; and along with evidence found on his personal computers, officials prepared multiple charges related to child pornography and allegations of sexual abuse.

Reports that federal agents were looking for evidence of child pornography when they seized computers from the Elgin district office of former state Rep. Keith Farnham shocked local officials who said the lawmaker was well-liked and active in the community. "I couldn't even fathom it. I was stunned," said former Elgin Mayor Ed Schock, adding that Farnham always worked on the city's behalf. Farnham has not been accused of any crime. Federal agents were searching for documents "pertaining to the possession, receipt or distribution of child pornography" as well as computer files, copies and negatives of child pornography or any...