A 64-year-old man from McLean County has been slammed with a 12-year prison sentence after a guilty plea in a child pornography case, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Hudson resident David L. Howell was sentenced today following his admission to two counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies.
The conviction is the latest win for Raoul's office, which has been working to aggressively trace and apprehend individuals involved in the online trading of child exploitation material. In his statement, Raoul said, "This guilty plea and sentence hold the offender accountable and prevent him from being able to further exploit innocent children." The prosecutor's office, together with the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, was instrumental in securing Howell's conviction. The task force operates thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and sees high collaboration with local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Judge Jason Chambers of the McLean County Circuit Court handed down the sentence, after which Howell was immediately taken into custody. The arrest and conviction are part of a much larger effort that has seen a spike in investigative activity as online tips about child pornography surged by 26% in 2022, compared to the previous year, as reported by the Attorney General's office.
The Illinois ICAC Task Force, according to the Illinois Attorney General's office, has been actively involved in more than 620 arrests of sexual predators since 2019 and has received more than 38,500 CyberTips. The force comprises a network stretching more than 175 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, all united in the mission to protect children and to swiftly bring justice against those who seek to harm them.
Assistant Attorney General Katherine C. Hegarty prosecuted the case on behalf of Raoul's High Tech Crimes Bureau. The ongoing battle against child pornography has also included internet safety training and education provided to thousands. In his crusade against child exploitation, Raoul continues to urge the public to report any suspected child sexual exploitation online at www.cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Resources and support can also be found through local child advocacy centers, accessible via www.childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
