Ex-lawmaker who fought child porn bragged about molestation: '12 is about as old as i can handle'

A former Illinois lawmaker who abruptly resigned last month was charged Monday with possession of child pornography.

Keith Farnham, an Elgin Democrat, had previously co-sponsored two bills that toughened penalties for child pornography.

Investigators said the 66-year-old Farhnam used his personal and state-owned computers to trade hundreds of sexually explicit images and videos and engage in online chats bragging about sexually molesting a 6-year-old girl.

Federal authorities said Farnham had one on his state-owned computer that depicted a 6-month-old girl in a sexual situation and another that depicted a girl no older than 7 years old.

Prosecutors said they linked a Yahoo email account used by the former lawmaker to an online forum where he traded the pornographic material and discussed his sexual preferences.

“12 is about as old as i can handle,” Farnham allegedly said in November, according to the charges. “i love them at 6 7 8”

In another chat, prosecutors said, Farnham told another user that he wished he "had access to all the vids and pics ever made."

Federal authorities executed a search warrant March 13 at Farnham's home and office, where they seized computers and electronic storage devices.

Farnham resigned March 19 from the state legislature, saying he was receiving treatment for bladder cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.

If convicted, the Navy veteran faces up to 10 years in prison.

Farnham is scheduled to make his first court appearance Wednesday.