Manhattan, IL – A Manhattan man was arrested Wednesday after a multi-month investigation into alleged possession of child pornography, according to police. The arrest unfolded November 12 after officers executed a search and review tied to an out-of-state cybercrime tip received last year.
According to the Manhattan Police Department, officers assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force were alerted in September 2024 by the Hastings, Nebraska Police Department. Investigators in Nebraska had reportedly identified a Manhattan resident who was allegedly downloading child pornography using a mobile application.
Police say the suspect, 25-year-old Jacob J. Jarvis, was identified during the 2024 investigation as both the user and the suspected downloader of the illegal images. The Manhattan Police Department, working with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, later executed a search warrant in August 2025. According to authorities, officers seized electronic devices that allegedly contained evidence tied to child pornography offenses.
Police stated that Jarvis was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with six counts of child pornography, all classified as Class 2 felonies in Illinois. Each count carries potential prison time if convicted.
Following his arrest, Jarvis was transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility. He is scheduled to appear for a pre-trial detention hearing at a later date, police said.
Authorities noted that the investigation involved coordination between Manhattan Police, Nebraska investigators, and state prosecutors. No additional details regarding potential victims or further investigative findings have been released at this time.
Residents with concerns about online safety or suspicious activity involving minors are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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