A former security and therapy aide at the Department of Human Services Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material, according to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. The case is part of ongoing efforts by Raoul’s office, in partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois, to apprehend individuals involved in downloading and distributing child sexual abuse content online.
Billy R. Ruple Jr., age 45, from Rushville, Illinois, received his sentence from Schuyler County Circuit Court Judge Mark Vincent after pleading guilty to two Class X felony counts of dissemination of child pornography.
“Holding perpetrators accountable for these horrific crimes is crucial for the victims and their families as they work to recover from the trauma,” said Raoul. “My office will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to protect Illinois’ children and stop the perpetrators who abuse them.”
Ruple was arrested in March after investigators from Raoul’s office, along with officers from the Illinois State Police, Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, and Rushville Police Department, searched his home and found evidence of child sexual abuse material. At that time, he was employed at a facility housing sexually violent offenders under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act.
The prosecution was handled jointly by Raoul’s office and Schuyler County State’s Attorney Chuck Laegeler. Laegeler stated: “Today, a dangerous individual has been held accountable for exploiting children. This outcome reflects the unwavering dedication of the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, specifically recognizing the outstanding work of Assistant Attorney General Jenifer Peck, my team at the Schuyler County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, and the Rushville Police Department. Our collaborative efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community and ensuring that those who traffic in child sexual abuse material are brought to justice.”
Raoul’s office oversees the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with support from a U.S. Department of Justice grant. The task force investigates child exploitation cases statewide and provides training for law enforcement agencies. Reports submitted through CyberTipline have increased over recent years; in 2024 alone there was an 11% rise compared to 2023.
The ICAC Task Force consists of more than 200 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners across Illinois as part of a national network of 61 such task forces. Since 2019 it has received over 60,000 CyberTips leading to more than 1,000 arrests; since its founding in 2006 it has contributed to over 2,400 arrests related to sexual predation on minors. In 2024 alone it helped rescue more than 45 children from ongoing abuse while also providing internet safety education programs for parents, teachers, students and police personnel.
Attorney General Raoul encouraged anyone aware of possible child exploitation or abuse to report incidents online at cybertipline.com or dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov; information about local advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Jenifer Peck prosecuted this case on behalf of Raoul’s Criminal Division.
