Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Loraine, Illinois man with the dissemination of child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online.
The Attorney General’s office charged David L. Nelson, 41, in Adams County Circuit Court with seven counts of disseminating child pornography, each Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Nelson is currently detained in the Adams County Jail, and his next scheduled court date is Nov. 13.
“Individuals who disseminate child sexual abuse images retraumatize victims each and every time an image or video is shared or downloaded,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies throughout the state to protect children and hold individuals accountable for their reprehensible actions.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, conducted a search of Nelson’s residence in the 2900 block of East 1400th Street in Loraine on Oct. 30. Nelson was taken into custody after investigators discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material.
“The Adams County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement and is always willing to help collaborate on investigations to protect children and families,” Adams County Sheriff Tony Grootens said.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case will be prosecuted by Raoul’s office with Adams County State’s Attorney Gary L. Farha’s office.
“The Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office appreciates the ability to continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office in the investigation and prosecution of child pornography cases,” said Adams County State’s Attorney Farha.
Raoul’s office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child pornography, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2023, reports to the ICAC increased by 46% over 2022.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 185 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 46,150 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 755 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,145 arrests of sexual predators. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to tens of thousands of parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.
Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorneys General Jenifer Peck and Courtney Lindbeck are prosecuting the case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
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