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  Ex-Glen Ellyn Church Music Director Expected to Get out of Jail

Chicago Press Release Services
February 22, 2010

http://chicagopressrelease.com/press-releases/ex-glen-ellyn-church-music-director-expected-to-get-out-of-jail#commenting

GLEN ELLYN (IL) -- The former music director of a Glen Ellyn church accused of disseminating child pornography is expected to be set free today after a judge slashed the defendant's bond in half.

An attorney for Brian K. Milnikel argued the 45-year-old Naperville man has a clean criminal record, strong ties to the community and does not pose a flight risk.

Milnikel has remained in the DuPage County jail on a $200,000 bond since his Jan. 19 arrest. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the felony. He pleaded not guilty at today's arraignment. His roommate, Christopher F. Kontopoulos, 20, faces similar felony charges.

DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis agreed to reduce Milnikel's bond to $100,000 – the same as Kontopoulos. He is expected to post the required 10 percent for his release, said his attorney, Steve Brondage.

Prosecutor Demetri Demopoulos, who fought the bond reduction, said the charges stem from a lengthy investigation by Naperville police and the Illinois Attorney General's office. Police seized several computers during a search of Milnikel's home.

"They found a number of horrific videos of children as young as 8 engaged in sex acts with other children and adults," Demopoulos said. "Both of them admitted using the child pornography to enhance their sex life."

Milnikel worked as full-time music director at St. James the Apostle Church of Glen Ellyn before his arrest. He also taught music at several other area churches for the previous 20 years, including St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Naperville and Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, records indicate.

After the arrest, Rev. John Ouper of St. James said the congregation was "shocked, stunned and sad about the situation." Ouper said Milnikel has been removed of all his duties at the church and a letter was sent to all parishioners acknowledging the music director's arrest.

Milnikel, of the 600 block of Nelli Court, is not accused of harming any of the children he taught.

He is due back in court next month.

 
 

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