Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged an Effingham County resident for alleged child pornography possession and dissemination on Tuesday, October 24, a news release from the Attorney General's office reported. This development is a part of an ongoing coalition between the Attorney General’s office, federal and local law enforcement, aiming to curb online child exploitation in Illinois, focusing on prioritizing the prosecution of these crimes and supporting survivors.
The cases of online child exploitation have become increasingly common not just in Illinois but across the country that to consider, it is important, the broader context. CyberTipline reports to the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force surged by 26% in 2022 compared to 2021, demonstrating the urgency to address online sexual exploitation in a timely and coordinated manner, states the news release.
Dallas R. Campbell, a resident of Effingham County, aged 25, is the accused in a recent case. Currently held at the Effingham County Jail, Campbell is due in court today. Campbell faces multiple charges, including two counts of the dissemination and ten counts of possession of child pornography. In the event of a conviction, he could end up serving an extended prison term.
Illustrating unity in the fight against child exploitation, Attorney General Raoul stresses collaboration with local law enforcement agencies and state attorneys. The Effingham Police Department's Chief of Police, Jason McFarland, also highlighted the impact of coalition in combating these heinous crimes.
The ICAC Task Force under the Attorney General, financed by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, takes on child exploitation investigations, educates law enforcement agencies, and receives CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This entity is one among 61 similar task forces across the country, forming a network of over 175 local, county, state, federal law enforcement agencies. It has been involved in more than 1,990 arrests since 2006, 600 of which have occurred post-2019.
Suspected online child sexual exploitation can be reported at www.cybertipline.com. Information on reporting child abuse is available at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov for Illinois residents. Child advocacy centers can be located at www.childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org. The fight against child exploitation requires continuous vigilance and awareness from society, underscoring the importance of collective effort to safeguard our children.
