Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested 38-year-old James D. Paranto of Princeton, IL for three counts of Possession and Dissemination of Child Pornography (Class X Felony).
On February 1, 2024, ISP Special Agents executed a residential search warrant at Paranto’s residence in the 300 block of S. Vernon Street in Princeton, IL, which was based on a cyber-tip that Paranto was engaged in internet crimes against children. Evidence was seized and extensive forensic examination was required.
On August 18, 2025, The Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office issued an arrest warrant for the above-mentioned charges, and the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office located Paranto and took him into custody.
The Illinois Attorney General’s Office High Tech Crimes Bureau and the Princeton Police Department also assisted with this investigation. There is no additional information.
ISP provides resources for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and for survivors to start their path toward healing and recovery. Anonymous tips about child sexual abuse materials can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com. To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources.
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
***Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***
