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Contact: Lieutenant Amy Dotson, Peoria Police - Patrol Operations
Phone: 309-210-4577
Email: adotson@peoriagov.org
PPD #2026-52590
In July of 2026, The Peoria Police Department received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) being found on a user account associated with an Electronic Service Provider (ESP).
During the course of the investigation, Peoria Police Detectives executed several search warrants on various online platforms, leading to the identification of Joshua L. Hazelbaker, 50 years of age.
Hazelbaker is a registered sex offender and is currently on federal probation stemming from a 2017 federal CSAM conviction.
On 8/26/2026, a traffic stop was conducted on Hazelbaker’s vehicle, where he was detained without incident. Simultaneously, Peoria Police Detectives executed a residential search warrant in the 4200 block of N Brandywine pertaining to this investigation. Several electronic devices were seized during the execution of the search warrant.
Hazelbaker was arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material as well as offenses related to violations of the Sex Offender Registration Act.
The Peoria Police Department is a member of the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The Peoria Police Department is committed to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit them.
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