Child Pornography Arrest Announced by Sheriff Crouch

An investigation into alleged child sexual abuse material by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a Springfield man on multiple felony charges, according to authorities.

The investigation was initiated by the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division on January 14, 2026, with detectives working in coordination with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. As a result of the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained for Ryan Atkinson, 35, of the 5700 block of North Walnut Street Road in Springfield.

The warrant charges Atkinson with three counts of Child Pornography, classified as Class X felonies, and three counts of Unauthorized Video Recording, Class 3 felonies under Illinois law. Authorities reported that Atkinson was taken into custody at approximately 8:20 a.m. on February 5, 2026, at his residence by personnel from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.

He was subsequently transported to the Sangamon County Jail, where he is being held pending arraignment and a detention hearing.

Investigators also executed a search warrant at the residence and on Atkinson’s vehicle during the arrest. Multiple recording and electronic devices were recovered and will undergo forensic examination as the investigation continues to determine whether additional evidence may be present.

Sheriff Paula Crouch expressed appreciation for the agencies involved and the work of her office’s investigators. “We appreciate the ongoing support and assistance in this case from the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. I also want to commend our detectives for their thorough investigative work,” Crouch said.