McLean County man heads to prison for trying to produce child pornography at his home

Posted on February 24, 2023

*Curtis Cleary, 40, of Chenoa. (Photo McLean County Sheriff’s Office)*

BLOOMINGTON – A Chenoa man has pleaded guilty to a felony charge for videotaping two young teenagers using a bathroom at his home two years ago.

Curtis Cleary, 40, was sentenced to six-years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted production of child pornography.

Prosecutors said Cleary placed a phone and an electric outlet in the ceiling so the phone’s camera could run continuously in the bathroom frequently used by the girls, who were younger than 15.

One of girls heard an alarm-like noise, looked up and saw the phone.

Prosecutors said Cleary later destroyed evidence by breaking the phone, but prosecutors dismissed an obstruction of justice charge as part of the plea agreement. The deal also spares the teens from having to testify at a trial.

Court documents indicate Cleary videotaped the girls between Jan. 21 and Feb. 21, 2021.

At the time, authorities said Cleary was on probation for a felony driving with a revoked license conviction.

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