Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Roodhouse, Illinois man with disseminating and possessing child sexual abuse material. This case is part of Raoul’s ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois to apprehend individuals who download and trade such material online.
Ethan T. Seaton, 20, was charged in Greene County Circuit Court with two counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years, and two counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences will be determined by the court. Seaton is currently held at the Greene County Jail until his detention hearing on September 30.
“Child exploitation is a horrific crime that victimizes the most innocent, resulting in trauma that can last a lifetime,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement at all levels and throughout the state to ensure those responsible for this abuse are held accountable and protect other children.”
Investigators from Raoul’s office, along with officers from the Roodhouse Police Department and the Illinois State Police South Central Illinois Drug Task Force, conducted a search of Seaton’s residence on East Clay Street in Roodhouse on September 24. He was arrested after admitting to possessing and disseminating child sexual abuse materials.
“Children and youth are among our most vulnerable populations and ISP special agents are committed to tracking down perpetrators whenever we find evidence of child sexual abuse and exploitation,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
Raoul’s office is prosecuting this case with assistance from the Greene 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 & Exploited Children. In 2023, reports to ICAC increased by 46% over 2022.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 such task forces nationwide comprising 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 of sexual predators; since its inception in 2006, it has been involved in over 2,145 arrests. The task force also provides internet safety training for 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 Katherine Hegarty is prosecuting this case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.