Illinois man accused of distributing child sexual abuse material

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Roodhouse, Illinois, man with distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material. This case is part of Raoul’s ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to apprehend individuals who download and trade such material online.

Ethan T. Seaton, 20, was charged in Greene County Circuit Court with two counts of distribution of child pornography, class seven years. years in prison. The sentences will be determined by the court. Seaton is currently being held in the Greene County Jail until his detention hearing on September 30.

“Child exploitation is a heinous crime that targets the most innocent, causing trauma that can last a lifetime,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to work with law enforcement at all levels and across the state to ensure that those responsible for this abuse are held accountable and other children are protected.”

Investigators from Raoul’s office, along with officers from the Roodhouse Police Department and the Illinois State Police South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, conducted a search of Seaton’s residence on East Clay Street in Roodhouse on September 24. He was arrested after admitting to possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

“Children and youth are among our most vulnerable populations and ISP Special Agents are committed to finding perpetrators when we find evidence of child sexual abuse and exploitation,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

Raoul’s office is prosecuting this case with assistance from the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office.

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

Raoul’s office manages the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies while receiving CyberTips from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. In 2023, the number of reports to the ICAC increased by 46% compared to 2022.

The Illinois ICAC Task Force is one of 61 task forces nationwide that includes more than 185 local, state, provincial and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, it has received more than 46,150 CyberTips, leading to more than 755 arrests of sexual predators; since its founding in 2006, it has been involved in more than 2,145 arrests. The task force also provides internet safety training for parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Raoul encourages reporting of child sexual exploitation online at cybertipline.com or child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Local children’s advocacy centers can be found at Childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

Assistant Attorney General Katherine Hegarty is prosecuting this case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.