Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 9 that James Scherer of Fairview Heights, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material. The sentencing took place before St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Jeffery Watson after Scherer pleaded guilty to two counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material, both classified as Class X felonies.
The case is part of ongoing efforts by the Attorney General’s office, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies, to address crimes involving the online distribution and trading of child sexual abuse content. Raoul said, “Survivors of child exploitation often face a lifetime of trauma and attempting to recover from their experiences, making it vital we work to hold individuals who trade and download these heinous images and videos accountable.” He added that his office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue working with agencies like the Fairview Heights Police Department “to find and stop individuals who exploit minors.”
Investigators from Raoul’s office and officers from the Fairview Heights Police Department searched Scherer’s residence in May 2025, where they found evidence leading to his arrest. The Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, operated by Raoul’s office with support from a U.S. Department of Justice grant, investigates such crimes and provides training for law enforcement agencies across the state.
The ICAC Task Force receives CyberTips about suspected child sexual abuse material from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Reports increased by 45% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Since its inception in 2006, the task force has been involved in more than 2,500 arrests related to sexual predators; since 2019 alone, it has received over 76,500 CyberTips and participated in more than 1,800 arrests. In addition to law enforcement actions, the task force has provided internet safety education to over one million parents, teachers, students and more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors according to the official website. It handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to the official website and aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities as well as environmental and rights issues according to the official website. Its advocacy extends throughout Illinois according to the official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and promote open government according to the official website. The office also offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights violations according to the official website.
Raoul reminded residents that incidents of child sexual exploitation can be reported at cybertipline.com or through state resources at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov.
