Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today charged an Equality, Illinois man with dissemination and possession of 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.
The Attorney General’s office charged Ryne Johnson, 33, in Gallatin County Circuit Court with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and six counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Johnson is currently detained at the Saline County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Feb. 21.
“Survivors of child exploitation and abuse are left with a lifetime of emotional scars,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with state and local authorities to ensure these predators are held accountable and survivors receive justice that can support their healing.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Equality Police Department, the Ridgway Police Department and the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a search of Johnson’s residence in the 200 block of West Davis Street in Equality on Feb. 15 and arrested Johnson when evidence of child pornography was discovered.
Raoul’s office will co-prosecute this case with Gallatin County State’s Attorney Douglas Dyhrkopp’s office.
“I am committed to vigorously prosecuting these cases and all crimes against children in our county,” said Gallatin County State’s Attorney Douglas Dyhrkopp.
The public is reminded that the defendant is 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 40,900 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 720 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,010 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 www.cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at www.childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Vanessa Minson is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s Sexually Violent Persons Bureau.
