Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Fairview Heights resident, Brian J. Grapperhaus, with eight counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material. The charges, filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, are Class X felonies that carry potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison per count. Sentencing decisions will be made by the court.
Grapperhaus, 45, was arrested following a search of his residence on Jubaka Drive conducted by investigators from Raoul’s office and the Fairview Heights Police Department. Authorities reported finding evidence of child sexual abuse material during the search. Grapperhaus is currently held at St. Clair County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.
“Children are victimized each time these horrific images are shared, which leaves survivors and their families with life-long scars,” said Attorney General Raoul. “Holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable is critical, and my office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies to find and stop individuals who exploit minors.”
The Attorney General’s Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force operates with support from a U.S. Department of Justice grant and works alongside more than 200 law enforcement agencies at various levels across the state. The task force receives CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding online reports of child sexual abuse material.
Over recent years, there has been an increase in CyberTipline reports to the ICAC Task Force, with a 45% rise in 2025 compared to 2024. Since 2019, more than 76,500 CyberTips have been received by the task force, leading to over 1,800 arrests since that year and more than 2,500 arrests since its founding in 2006. In 2025 alone, the task force was involved in rescuing over 30 children from ongoing abuse. The ICAC Task Force also provides internet safety education for parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.
Raoul reminded the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Reports of child sexual exploitation can be made online at cybertipline.com or cases of child abuse can be reported at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Information about local child advocacy centers is available at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Bureau Chief Shannon O’Brien and Assistant Attorney General Megan Lintker are prosecuting this case through Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office supports vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants and seniors; addresses thousands of consumer complaints annually; promotes safer communities; advocates for environmental issues; extends its services throughout Illinois; partners with law enforcement to support crime victims; encourages open government; and offers resources for filing complaints related to consumer fraud or civil rights violations as described on its official website.