State Trooper Should Run to the Hills After Getting Caught with Kik CSAM

An Illinois State Police trooper has been arrested and charged in federal court for the distribution and possession of CSAM. Colin Gruenke of Deerfield was taken into custody last month at state police headquarters in Des Plaines, where he was actively on duty. He now sits behind bars awaiting trial after a judge determined there was no condition of release that could reasonably assure the safety of the community.

The case stems from a tip in September 2024 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip came from the messaging app Kik, notorious for being a haven of sex offenders, pedophiles, CSAM collectors, and child traffickers.

For years, Kik has had a reputation for enabling dangerous communities due to its lack of oversight and the ease with which users can create anonymous accounts. In this case, federal investigators tied two Kik accounts used to distribute CSAM back to Gruenke through email records.

Authorities say Gruenke attempted to conceal his online location by using a VPN. This is worth highlighting, as many people mistakenly believe that using a VPN makes them untouchable, but this case proves otherwise. Federal investigators were able to track him down despite his efforts, showing that a VPN does not guarantee complete anonymity when law enforcement is involved.

With warrants in hand, federal agents confronted Gruenke at ISP headquarters. He reportedly had his iPhone in his hand at the time. Deleted files of CSAM were recovered from the phone. At his residence, agents located a flash drive in a nightstand drawer containing approximately 200 videos of CSAM. Chat logs turned over by Kik were described as vile and graphic, making it clear that this was not a one-off incident but part of a disturbing pattern of behavior.

Gruenke’s community ties make the charges even more alarming. In addition to being a state trooper, he previously served as a youth hockey referee. The hockey league confirmed he last officiated in 2021 and had not been registered as a referee since the 2021–22 season. Even so, his background placed him in direct contact with both children and families, raising concerns about whether there are more victims who have not yet come forward.

Following his arrest, Illinois State Police placed Gruenke on administrative leave without pay. ISP also announced that it is conducting its own internal investigation. And this is where the public must raise an eyebrow. Can the Illinois State Police be trusted to investigate one of their own? Troopers are entrusted with authority, with the protection of citizens, and with the public trust. When someone in that position uses that trust as cover for criminal behavior, the betrayal cuts deeper than if it were any other member of the community. The punishment for such a violation should be visited upon them in spades.

A police badge is not a shield from accountability. It is a responsibility. And when that responsibility is corrupted, it becomes one of the gravest offenses against the people.

And again, not a drag queen.

(Sources)