Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Springfield resident, Brandon Heimsness, 39, with multiple felony counts related to child sexual abuse material. The charges include 11 Class X felonies for creating child pornography and three Class 2 felonies for possessing child pornography. Each Class X felony is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, while each Class 2 felony carries a potential sentence of up to seven years. Sentencing will be determined by the court.
Heimsness was detained following a search conducted on June 17 at his residence in Springfield’s 1900 block of N. 19th St., where forensic examiners found files containing child sexual abuse material on his digital devices. He remains in custody at the Sangamon County Jail, with his next court appearance scheduled for January 12, 2026.
Attorney General Raoul commented on the case: “Survivors of child exploitation and their families can face life-long trauma, and the predators responsible for these heinous crimes being held accountable can help them begin the healing process,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies like the Springfield Police Department to locate and stop individuals who exploit minors.”
The Attorney General’s office is co-prosecuting the case alongside the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office. Authorities remind the public that Heimsness is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Raoul’s office operates the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force through funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates crimes involving child exploitation and provides training for law enforcement agencies across Illinois. Reports of online child sexual abuse material—known as CyberTips—are received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2024, reports to Illinois’ ICAC Task Force increased by 11% compared to 2023.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is part of a national network of 61 such groups and includes over 200 law enforcement agencies at various levels. Since its inception in 2006, it has participated in more than 2,400 arrests related to sexual predators; since 2019 alone, it has received over 60,000 CyberTips and been involved in more than 1,000 arrests. In addition to investigations and arrests, the task force rescued more than 45 children from ongoing abuse in 2024 and has provided internet safety education to thousands statewide.
Child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com or cases of child abuse can be reported at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Information about local advocacy centers is available at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Deputy Bureau Chief Shantikumar Kulkarni is prosecuting this case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
