Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 12 that a Sparland, Illinois man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to disseminating child sexual abuse material. The sentencing of Shawn Roth, age 46, was handed down by Marshall County Circuit Court Judge Paul Bauer following Roth’s guilty plea to four Class X felony counts related to the dissemination of such material. Roth also pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and will serve that sentence 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 Raoul’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 with support from a U.S. Department of Justice grant. The task force investigates child exploitation cases and provides training for law enforcement agencies throughout the state. It receives CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and reports have increased significantly; in 2025 alone, tips rose by 45% compared to the previous year.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 such groups nationwide and includes more than 200 local, county, state, and federal agencies. Since 2019, it has received over 76,500 CyberTips and participated in more than 1,800 arrests of sexual predators; since its inception in 2006, it has been involved in over 2,500 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 parents, teachers, students, and more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.
The Illinois Attorney General advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors according to the official website. The office handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to the official website and aims to protect consumers while promoting safer communities as well as environmental and rights issues according to the official website. Its advocacy extends statewide according to the official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies both locally and federally according to the official website. Services offered include complaint filing for consumer fraud or civil rights violations according to the official website.
Raoul reminded residents that suspected child sexual exploitation can be reported at cybertipline.com or through state resources at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov; information about local child advocacy centers is available at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.