Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced the Attorney General’s office has charged an Effingham County man with allegedly possessing and disseminating child pornography. 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 pornography online.
Raoul’s office charged Dallas R. Campbell, 25, in Effingham County Circuit Court with two counts of dissemination of child pornography, both Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, each Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Campbell is detained at the Effingham County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 26.
“Survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse often require a lifetime of recovery from the trauma they experience,” Raoul said. “I will continue to partner with state’s attorneys and local law enforcement agencies to investigate these heinous crimes and protect Illinois children and families from those who exploit and abuse children.”
Raoul’s investigators, with the assistance of the Effingham Police Department, searched Campbell’s home on the 200 block of North Banker Street in Effingham on Thursday, Oct. 19 and arrested him due to evidence of child pornography on his electronic device.
“Effingham Police Department is committed to public safety, and we will continue to work hand in hand with our state and federal partners,” Effingham Chief of Police Jason McFarland said. “The Attorney General’s Office and their team have demonstrated unparalleled proficiency in handling investigations of this nature. Their expertise ensures that the investigation adheres to the highest standards of professional excellence. Together, we are amplifying our impact to combat this type of heinous crime and safeguard our community.”
Attorney General Raoul’s office is co-prosecuting this case with Effingham County State’s Attorney Aaron Jones.
The public is reminded the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The case is part of Attorney General Raoul’s work to investigate and prosecute child pornographers in Illinois. 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 2022, reports to the ICAC increased by 26% over 2021.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC Task Forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 175 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 35,000 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 600 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 1,990 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 also reminded the public that online child sexual exploitation can be reported at www.cybertipline.com, and child abuse can be reported at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at www.childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Agnes Bugaj and Investigator Amanda Wimmersberg are handling the case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
