Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the charges against Karl Kimble, a resident of Greenup, Illinois, for allegedly possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. Raoul's office, collaborating with federal and local agencies throughout Illinois, aims to capture those involved in the online distribution of such material.
Karl Kimble, aged 54, faces serious charges in Cumberland County Circuit Court, including one Class X felony for dissemination and five Class 2 felonies for possession of child pornography. The penalties for these charges reach up to 30 years and seven years in prison, respectively. The court will determine actual sentencing.
Currently detained at the Cumberland County Jail, Kimble awaits his next court appearance scheduled for May 5. In a statement, Raoul emphasized the importance of accountability for child predators, stating, “Holding child predators who exploit children accountable can help survivors and their families heal from the terrible trauma they have experienced.” He also noted the ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement to bring offenders to justice.
Investigators carried out a search of Kimble’s home in Greenup on May 1, leading to his arrest after they found evidence of child sexual abuse material. The Greenup Police Department assisted with the arrest. Kimble is employed as a school bus driver for the Illinois Central School Bus Company, serving the Charleston, Illinois school district. Residents with further information are encouraged to contact Special Investigator Larry Rayburn.
The case highlights the role of Raoul’s office, supported by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, in managing the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. This task force has been active in addressing child exploitation crimes and educating law enforcement agencies. It receives reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, seeing an 11% increase in reports in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Attorney General Raoul's office has made significant strides through the ICAC Task Force, involving more than 54,700 CyberTips and over 900 arrests of sexual predators since 2019. Overall, since 2006, there have been over 2,300 arrests. In 2024 alone, the task force rescued 45 children from active abuse and provided internet safety training to various community members.
The public is urged to report child sexual exploitation via cybertipline.com and child abuse through dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Child advocacy resources are also accessible at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General David Sternau will prosecute the case.
The Attorney General reminds the public that the accused remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.