Illinois man charged with child sexual abuse material offenses in Greene County

Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged 27-year-old Bobby H. Xiong from Bluffs, Illinois, with producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat such offenses in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement. The charges, filed in Greene County Circuit Court, include three counts of dissemination of child pornography and two counts of possession of child pornography, with potential sentences ranging from seven to 30 years in prison.

On March 27, authorities executed a search warrant at Xiong's residence, uncovering evidence of child sexual abuse material. Following this operation, Xiong was arrested and is currently held at the Greene County Jail, with a court appearance scheduled for April 28. Attorney General Raoul emphasized the importance of holding child predators accountable to support survivors and their families.

Raoul's office is working closely with the Scott County State's Attorney Richard Crews' office to prosecute this case effectively. The Attorney General has expressed gratitude for the support from the Scott County Sheriff's Department in protecting children and addressing these serious offenses.

The Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, plays a crucial role in investigating child exploitation crimes. Since its establishment, the task force has seen a significant increase in the number of CyberTips received, with over 54,700 reports leading to more than 900 arrests since 2019. This year alone, it has helped rescue over 45 children from ongoing abuse.

Attorney General Raoul encourages the public to report any incidents of child sexual exploitation or abuse through dedicated online platforms. The ICAC Task Force also provides educational resources to enhance internet safety for parents, teachers, and students, working towards a safer environment for children.