ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES MONTGOMERY COUNTY MAN WITH DISSEMINATION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES MONTGOMERY COUNTY MAN WITH DISSEMINATION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

September 09, 2024

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office charged a Montgomery County man with the alleged dissemination of 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 Troy A. Shull, 46, of Raymond, Illinois, in Montgomery County Circuit Court with six 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. Shull is detained at the Montgomery County jail and his next court appearance is Oct. 17.

"Child exploitation can cause trauma to survivors and their families that can lead to a lifetime of physical and emotional recovery," Raoul said. "I will continue to collaborate with local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure these predators are held accountable and survivors receive the justice they deserve."

The Attorney General's investigators, with the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Illinois State Police (ISP) South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, conducted a search of Shull's residence in the 200 block of North North Street in Raymond on Sept. 5. Shull was arrested after he admitted to downloading files depicting child sexual abuse.

"Multi-jurisdictional task forces are critical to identifying and stopping criminal behavior, including the exploitation of children," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "Through our partnerships with our prosecutorial partners at all levels, and training with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, we will continue to identify child predators and bring them to justice."

Raoul's office is co-prosecuting this case with Montgomery County State's Attorney Andrew Affrunti.

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.

Assistant Attorney General Jenifer Peck is prosecuting the case for Raoul's High Tech Crimes Bureau.