ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES SANGAMON COUNTY SEX OFFENDER WITH SOLICITATION, POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES SANGAMON COUNTY SEX OFFENDER WITH SOLICITATION, POSSESSION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

October 22, 2024

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Pawnee, Illinois man with soliciting and possessing 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 such materials online.

The Attorney General's office charged Craig Smith, 30, in Sangamon County Circuit Court with one count of solicitation of child pornography and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, all Class 1 felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison; and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Smith is detained at the Sangamon County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 28.

"Survivors of child exploitation and their families deserve justice and should be assured that law enforcement agencies are working to ensure the individuals who trade or download those horrific materials are held accountable," Raoul said. "I will continue to collaborate with all levels of law enforcement to protect our children and communities from offenders who seek to exploit minors online."

Raoul's investigators, along with officers from the Pawnee Police Department and the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office conducted a search of Smith's residence in the 300 block of Washington Street in Pawnee on Sept. 19. An arrest warrant was issued after evidence of child sexual abuse videos was discovered, and Smith was arrested on Oct. 21.

Raoul's office is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser's office.

"We appreciate the ability to work with our law enforcement partners, including the Attorney General's Office ICAC Task Force, in the investigation and prosecution of these cases and look forward to assisting in holding accountable those who that seek to harm our most vulnerable population," Milhiser said.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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 210 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has received more than 50,600 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 800 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,200 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 Attorney General Nicole Bartell is prosecuting the case for Raoul's High Tech Crimes Bureau.