Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on May 12 that a Virden, Illinois man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for disseminating child sexual abuse material. Jacob R. Rogers, age 38, received the sentence in Macoupin County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to one count of Class X felony dissemination of child pornography involving children under the age of 13 and two counts of Class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
The sentencing is part of ongoing efforts by Raoul’s office, working with federal and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois, to address online crimes involving child exploitation. The Attorney General’s office said it continues to prioritize the protection of children from such offenses.
“I hope this sentence and our diligence in holding offenders accountable provides survivors of child exploitation additional support as they continue the healing process,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to protect Illinois children from the trauma of victimization.”
Raoul’s investigators worked with the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Office and Virden Police Department during an April 2022 search at Rogers’ residence, which led to his arrest after evidence was found that he had shared illegal material. The prosecution was handled jointly by Deputy Bureau Chief Shantikumar Kulkarni from Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau and Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison.
“Protecting children against those who would harm them is our highest duty,” said Garrison. “We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with Attorney General Raoul in this mission.”
Raoul’s office operates the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force through a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates cases related to child exploitation and provides training for law enforcement agencies statewide. It receives CyberTips—online reports about potential crimes—from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In recent years, these reports have increased significantly; in 2025 alone, tips rose by 45% over those reported in 2024.
The ICAC Task Force is part of a national network consisting of more than 200 participating agencies throughout Illinois and has received over 82,900 CyberTips since 2019 while contributing to more than 1,150 arrests during that period. In addition, it played a role in rescuing more than thirty victims from ongoing abuse last year and has provided internet safety education sessions reaching over one million people including parents, teachers, students as well as training for more than twenty-five thousand law enforcement professionals.
Raoul reminded residents that suspected cases can be reported online at cybertipline.com or dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov; information about local advocacy centers is available at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
The Attorney General’s work includes advocating for vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants and seniors; handling thousands of consumer complaints each year; promoting safer communities; supporting crime victims alongside law enforcement partners; offering complaint filing services related to consumer fraud or civil rights issues; protecting consumers; advancing environmental concerns; upholding rights issues across Illinois—all according to the official website.
