ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES SPRINGFIELD MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY POSSESSED CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES SPRINGFIELD MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY POSSESSED CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

October 24, 2024

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Springfield, Illinois man for allegedly 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 child sexual abuse material online.

The Attorney General's office charged Anthony J. Marconi, 58, in Sangamon County Circuit Court with eight counts of the possession of child pornography, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Marconi is detained at the Sangamon County Jail and his next scheduled court date is Nov. 14.

"Survivors of sexual assault and exploitation may never fully heal from the trauma they have experienced, making it imperative that the perpetrators of these crimes be stopped," Raoul said. "My office's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with local law enforcement agencies to locate and bring to justice individuals who exploit minors."

Raoul's investigators, along with officers from the Springfield Police Department, conducted a search of Marconi's residence in the 3000 block of East Enos Avenue in Springfield on Oct. 23. Marconi was arrested after evidence of child sexual abuse material was found. Marconi is a school bus driver employed by First Student, Inc. and officials are encouraging residents who may have additional information to submit a tip by calling Special Investigator Tom Ritter at 217-685-7905.

"At First Student, our number one priority is the safety of our students, employees and the communities we serve. This driver was immediately placed on administrative leave," said Chris Coyle, First Student Area General Manager. "We will continue to assist law enforcement with the ongoing investigation."

Raoul's office is prosecuting this case with the assistance of Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser's office.

"We will continue to work with law enforcement partners to keep our community safe," Milhiser said.

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 210 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has received more than 50,600 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 800 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,200 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.

Assistant Attorney General Nicole L. Bartell is prosecuting the case for Raoul's High Tech Crimes Bureau.