Glen Ellyn Church Shocked Stunned by Child Porn Arrest, by Lee Filas and Jake Griffin, Daily Herald, January 19, 2010

Glen Ellyn Church 'Shocked, Stunned' by Child Porn Arrest

By Lee Filas and Jake Griffin
Daily Herald
January 19, 2010

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=352166

GLEN ELLYN (IL) -- The music director of a Glen Ellyn church and his 20-year-old roommate have been charged with possession of child pornography, DuPage County prosecutors said Wednesday.

Brian K. Milnikel, 45, of the 800 block of Nelli Court in Naperville, and his roommate, Christopher F. Kontopoulos, 20, have been charged with felonies that could bring punishments ranging from probation to five year in prison, Assistant State's Attorney Brian Perkins said.

Brian K. Milnikel

DuPage County Associate Judge Liam Brennan ordered Milnikel held in DuPage County jail in Wheaton on $200,000 bond; a $100,000 bond was issued to Kontopoulos. Both must post 10 percent to be released.

Perkins said the charges stem from a lengthy investigation by Naperville police and the Illinois Attorney General's office. Police seized several computers at Milnikel's home early Tuesday.

Christopher F. Kontopoulos

"They found a number of videos of children as young as 8 engaged in sex acts with other children and adults," Perkins 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, he said in court Wednesday. He has also taught music at several other area churches for the previous 20 years.

Milnikel worked as music director or associate music director at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Naperville and Trinity Lutheran Church in Roselle, records indicate.

Rev. John Ouper, a priest at St. James the Apostle, 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.

"Our information at this time is that this pornography did not involve any child from this parish," the letter read. "We further wish to inform you that prior to Mr. Milnikel's hiring, the parish, according to Diocesan policy, conducted a criminal-background check, which did not show any prior arrests."

Ouper's letter also stated that there had been no complaints about Milnikel during his time with the church. The priest also said there was no indication that Milnikel had used any church equipment in the commission of any crimes.

Spare a few traffic incidents and civil proceedings, Milnikel's DuPage legal record is clean of criminal charges, according to court records. Kontopoulos' criminal history is spotless in DuPage.

Police are still investigating the case. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Naperville police at (630) 305-5384.