Attorney General Raoul charges Effingham County man with possession of child pornography
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged an Effingham, Illinois man with possession of child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing collaboration with federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online.
The Attorney General’s office charged Landin A. Miller, 22, in Effingham County Circuit Court on Friday with 10 counts of Class 2 felony possession of child pornography, each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Miller is currently detained at the Effingham County Jail.
“Survivors of child exploitation and abuse face a lifetime of healing from the trauma they experience,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with state’s attorneys and law enforcement agencies to hold individuals who prey on and exploit young children accountable.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Effingham Police Department, conducted a search of Miller’s residence in the 2300 block of South Veterans Drive in Effingham on May 30 and arrested Miller when evidence of child pornography was discovered.
“This inter-agency cooperation underscores the dedication of the Effingham Police Department and the Illinois Attorney General to protect our communities, and in this case, those most vulnerable: our children,” said Effingham Police Department Lieutenant Detective Tom Webb. “This collaborative effort underscores the importance of working together across jurisdictions to effectively combat crime and deliver justice. The professionalism of the ICAC Task Force is greatly appreciated, and we were privileged to provide assistance. Our commitment to safeguarding our neighborhoods remains resolute, and we will continue to utilize all resources available to maintain public safety and uphold the rule of law.”
Raoul’s office will co-prosecute this case with Effingham State’s Attorney Aaron Jones’ office. The public is reminded that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Raoul’s office runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies using a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force receives CyberTips or online reports of child pornography from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over recent years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased; in 2023 alone, reports to ICAC increased by 46% over 2022.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one among 61 nationwide task forces comprising a network involving more than 185 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, it has received over 46,150 CyberTips leading to more than 755 arrests related to sexual predation activities. Since its inception in 2006, it has been involved in more than 2,145 such arrests while also providing internet safety training to over one million parents, teachers, students as well as over 24,300 law enforcement professionals.
Attorney General Raoul reminds that incidents involving child sexual exploitation can be reported online at www.cybertipline.com while cases concerning child abuse can be reported at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Local advocacy centers can be found at www.childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Vanessa Minson is prosecuting this case on behalf of Raoul's office.