Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 9 that a Fairview Heights man, James Scherer, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material. The sentencing took place in St. Clair County Circuit Court 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 online crimes involving the exploitation of minors. 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 collaborating with agencies like the Fairview Heights Police Department “to find and stop individuals who exploit minors.”
Investigators from Raoul’s office and 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 Task Force, funded by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, investigates such crimes and provides training for law enforcement agencies across the state. In 2025 alone, reports to the task force increased by 45% over the previous year.
The Illinois ICAC Task Force is one of 61 similar groups nationwide and includes more than 200 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, it has received over 76,500 CyberTips and participated in more than 1,800 arrests related to sexual predators; since its inception in 2006, it has been involved in over 2,500 such arrests. In addition to investigations and rescues—more than 30 children were rescued from ongoing abuse in 2025—the task force has provided internet safety education to over one million people statewide.
The 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, aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities according to the official website, extends advocacy efforts across Illinois according to the official website, partners with law enforcement for crime victim support according to the official website, and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights issues according to the official website.
Raoul reminded residents that suspected child sexual exploitation can be reported at cybertipline.com or through state resources online.