A Macomb sex offender is behind bars after allegedly taking photos of a young girl in a local restaurant Sunday.
Fred H. Railsback III, 79, Macomb, is charged with possession of child photography by a sex offender, a felony.
According to Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer, Railsback took photos of an 11-year-old girl who was in a Macomb diner eating with her family. When members of the family noticed what was happening, restaurant staff was alerted and police were called.
Hamer said Railsback attempted to delete the photos, but officers were able to obtain his phone and view the photos, which, Hamer said, were not pornographic in nature. He said Railsback admitted taking the photos 'because he thought she was cute.'
Hamer commended the astute awareness of the victim's family, which led to the arrest.
'The family definitely knew something was wrong,' he said.
At the time of the incident, Railsback was on probation after pleading guilty last September to three felony child porn-related charges. Several others were dismissed. As part of a plea deal, Railsback was sentenced to 128 days in jail – time served – with four years of probation and ordered to pay more than $14,000 in fines and fees. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
That case, which included a litany of felony charges, was originally led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
In this week's incident, Railsback was ordered held in McDonough County Jail without bond.
