ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES MONTICELLO POLICE OFFICER WITH DISSEMINATION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES MONTICELLO POLICE OFFICER WITH DISSEMINATION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

August 14, 2024

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Piatt Count State's Attorney Sarah Perry charged a Monticello police officer with allegedly disseminating 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 child sexual abuse images online.

The Attorney General's office charged William "Craig" Griswold, 39, of Monticello, in Piatt County Circuit Court with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Griswold is being detained in the DeWitt County Jail, and his next hearing is set for Sept. 9.

"Child exploitation is a horrific crime that is made even more reprehensible when the alleged offender is a member of law enforcement who has sworn to protect families," Raoul said. "I am committed to ensuring victims and their families receive the justice they deserve by holding the offenders who commit these crimes accountable - no matter who they are."

Illinois State Police investigators conducted a search of Griswold's residence in the 200 NW. block of Union St. in Monticello on Aug. 13. Griswold was arrested following his admission to disseminating child sexual abuse material.

Raoul's office is co-prosecuting this case with the Piatt County State's Attorney Sarah Perry.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Raoul's office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child pornography, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2023, reports to the ICAC increased by 46% over 2022.

Illinois' ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 185 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has received more than 46,150 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 755 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,145 arrests of sexual predators. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to tens of thousands of parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

Deputy Bureau Chief Shannon O'Brien is prosecuting the case for Raoul's High Tech Crimes Bureau.