By Christy Gutowski
Daily Herald
February 22, 2010
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=361064
Glen Ellyn (IL) -- The former Glen Ellyn church music director accused of distributing child pornography may soon be a free man again after a judge slashed the man's bond in half.
Brian K. Milnikel of Naperville has a clean criminal record, strong community ties and does not pose a flight risk, his attorney argued Monday.
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| Brian K. Milnikel |
Milnikel, 45, 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 Monday's arraignment, during which DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis agreed to reduce Milnikel's bond to $100,000.
The defendant's roommate, Christopher F. Kontopoulos, 20, who faces similar charges, earlier posted $10,000 bail.
Prosecutor Demetri Demopoulos fought the bond reduction. He said police seized several computers containing illegal images of children during a search of Milnikel's home on the 600 block of Nelli Court.
"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.
Milnikel is expected to post the required 10 percent bail. He remained in custody late Monday. If released, Milnikel is barred from having contact with children under 18, using the Internet or being within 500 feet of a school, park or day care facility.
After the arrest, St. James removed Milnikel of all his duties. He is not accused of harming any of the children he taught.
He is due back in court next month.
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