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Thursday, November 7, 2024

Quincy woman charged with sexual assault and child pornography offenses

State AG
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul | Twitter Website

Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a Quincy woman with serious offenses, including sexual assault and the production and distribution of child pornography. This case is part of Raoul’s continued efforts to work with federal and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois to address the issue of child sexual abuse material online.

Blake S. Wakefield, 22, faces three Class X felony charges in Adams County Circuit Court. These charges include one count of predatory criminal sexual assault, which carries a potential sentence of up to 60 years in prison; one count of manufacturing child pornography, punishable by up to 30 years; and one count of disseminating child pornography, also punishable by up to 30 years. The court will ultimately decide the sentences. Wakefield is currently held at the Adams County Jail, awaiting her next court appearance on October 11.

Attorney General Raoul stated, “I am committed to protecting Illinois children and families from those who exploit and abuse innocent children.” He added that his office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force would continue working with law enforcement across the state to ensure accountability for such crimes.

A search was conducted at Wakefield’s residence on Valley View Road in Quincy by Raoul’s investigators alongside officers from the Quincy Police Department on October 9.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The prosecution will be handled by Raoul’s office in collaboration with Adams County State’s Attorney Gary L. Farha’s office. Farha expressed appreciation for the cooperation with the Illinois Attorney General's office in both investigation and prosecution as the case proceeds through the legal system.

The Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, investigates child exploitation crimes and provides training for law enforcement agencies. It receives CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In 2023, reports to ICAC increased by 46% compared to 2022.

Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 similar units nationwide and includes over 185 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Since its inception in 2006, it has been involved in more than 2,145 arrests related to sexual predation. The task force also offers internet safety training for various community groups.

Attorney General Raoul encourages reporting child sexual exploitation online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Local child advocacy centers can be located through childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

Assistant Attorney General Jenifer Peck will prosecute this case under Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.

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