Galena Police Officer arrested on child pornography charges

A Galena police officer was arrested on allegations of child pornography offenses, according to a social media announcement from the department. The announcement states Eli Barthel was arrested Friday after an investigation by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations and is currently being held in the Stephenson County Jail. The department said Barthel was placed on administrative leave pending termination. More information is expected to be released by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office today.