Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Decatur, Illinois man with dissemination of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This case is part of Raoul’s ongoing collaboration with federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to apprehend offenders who download and trade CSAM online.
Charles Bolsen, 64, was charged in Macon County Circuit Court with two counts of dissemination of child pornography involving a victim under 13 years old. These Class X felonies are each punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Additionally, he faces eight counts of possession of child pornography involving a victim under 13 years old, Class 2 felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences must be served consecutively and are determined by the court. Bolson is currently detained at the Macon County jail with his next court date set for September 4.
“We must help children who survive exploitation receive justice by holding the offenders who commit these horrific crimes accountable,” Raoul stated. “I will continue to work with state and local authorities to ensure these individuals are unable to victimize other innocent children.”
On July 2, investigators from Raoul’s office, along with officers from the Decatur Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a search of Bolsen’s residence on Evergreen Drive in Decatur and discovered evidence of child pornography. An investigation was immediately initiated following the discovery, leading to Bolsen's arrest on July 24.
Raoul’s office is co-prosecuting this case alongside the Macon County State’s Attorney’s office.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Raoul's office operates the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies while receiving CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Reports have increased significantly over recent years; in 2023 alone, reports to ICAC rose by 46% compared to 2022.
The Illinois ICAC Task Force comprises over 185 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as one of 61 such task forces nationwide. Since its inception in 2006, it has been involved in more than 2,145 arrests of sexual predators. Additionally, since 2019 alone, it has received over 46,150 CyberTips and participated in more than 755 arrests. The task force also provides internet safety training and education to parents, teachers, students, and law enforcement professionals.
Attorney General Raoul encourages reporting child sexual exploitation online at cybertipline.com or child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Nicole Bartell is prosecuting this case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.