Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Pawnee man with soliciting and possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade such materials online.
The Attorney General’s office charged Craig Smith, 30, in Sangamon County Circuit Court with one count of solicitation of child pornography and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, all Class 1 felonies punishable by up to 15 years in prison; and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Smith is detained at the Sangamon County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 28.
"Survivors of child exploitation and their families deserve justice and should be assured that law enforcement agencies are working to ensure the individuals who trade or download those horrific materials are held accountable,” Raoul said. "I will continue to collaborate with all levels of law enforcement to protect our children and communities from offenders who seek to exploit minors online.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Pawnee Police Department and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search of Smith’s residence in the 300 block of Washington Street in Pawnee on Sept. 19. An arrest warrant was issued after evidence of child sexual abuse videos was discovered, and Smith was arrested on Oct. 21.
Raoul’s office is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser’s office.
"We appreciate the ability to work with our law enforcement partners, including the Attorney General’s Office ICAC Task Force, in the investigation and prosecution of these cases and look forward to assisting in holding accountable those who that seek to harm our most vulnerable population,” Milhiser said.