Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 12 that Shawn Roth, a resident of Sparland, Illinois, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to disseminating child sexual abuse material. The sentencing took place before Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Paul Bauer and included four Class X felony counts related to the dissemination of such material. Roth also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, with that sentence running concurrently.
The case is part of ongoing efforts by Raoul’s office, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois, to address online child exploitation crimes. “This sentence represents justice for minor victims who have been exploited and abused,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with local law enforcement to hold these offenders accountable.” Bureau Chief Shannon O’Brien prosecuted the case for the Attorney General’s High Tech Crimes Bureau alongside Marshall County State’s Attorney Patrick J. Murphy’s office.
Raoul’s office operates the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates child exploitation cases and provides training for law enforcement agencies statewide. Reports of online child sexual abuse material submitted via CyberTipline have increased significantly; in 2025 alone, reports rose by 45% compared to the previous year.
The ICAC Task Force is one of 61 such groups nationwide and includes more than 200 law enforcement agencies at various levels throughout Illinois. Since its inception in 2019, it has received over 76,500 CyberTips and participated in more than 1,800 arrests involving sexual predators; since 2006, there have been over 2,500 such arrests linked to the task force’s work. In addition, more than 30 children were rescued from ongoing abuse in 2025 alone. The task force has also provided internet safety education and training sessions reaching over one million parents, teachers, students, and more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.
Raoul reminded the public that suspected child sexual exploitation can be reported at cybertipline.com and cases of child abuse can be reported at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov or through local advocacy centers listed at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors according to its official website. It handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website and aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities as well as environmental and rights issues according to its official website. The office extends advocacy efforts across Illinois according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies to support crime victims and promote open government according to its official website, and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights concerns according to its official website.