Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced that Christopher A. Fugate, a resident of Macomb, Illinois, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The sentence was handed down by McDonough County Circuit Court Judge Nigel Graham after Fugate pleaded guilty to three Class 2 felony counts of possession of child pornography.
Raoul emphasized the importance of holding child predators accountable, stating, “Child predators must be held accountable for their participation in the exploitation of innocent children.” He highlighted the commitment of his office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to collaborate with local law enforcement and state attorneys to ensure community safety.
The investigation into Fugate was part of Raoul's broader initiative targeting individuals who download and distribute child sexual abuse content online. In February 2024, investigators from Raoul’s office, alongside officers from the Illinois State Police, McDonough County Sheriff’s Office, and Macomb Police Department, searched Fugate's residence and discovered evidence leading to his arrest.
The prosecution was a joint effort between Attorney General Raoul’s office and McDonough County State’s Attorney Matthew Kwacala’s office. Kwacala expressed gratitude for the collaboration, saying, “My office greatly appreciates the work that Attorney General Raoul and his staff have done to bring this sexual predator to justice and protect McDonough County from further harm.”
Raoul's office manages the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force with support from a U.S. Department of Justice grant. This task force investigates crimes related to child exploitation and provides training for law enforcement agencies. It receives CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which have increased by 25% in 2024 compared to 2023.
The Illinois ICAC Task Force is one among 61 similar entities across the United States and involves over 185 law enforcement agencies at various levels. Since its inception in 2006, it has participated in more than 2,300 arrests related to sexual predation. In 2024 alone, it rescued over 45 children from ongoing abuse while also providing internet safety education to numerous stakeholders.
Attorney General Raoul encourages reporting instances of child sexual exploitation through cybertipline.com or dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Information about local child advocacy centers is available at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorneys General Katherine Hegarty and Nicole Bartell led the prosecution efforts on behalf of Raoul’s office.