Rushville Man Employed at Human Services Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Rushville, Illinois man for allegedly possessing and disseminating child sexual abuse material. Billy R. Ruple Jr., 44, works as a security and therapy aide for the Department of Human Services (DHS) Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility (TDF). The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online.
The Attorney General’s office charged Ruple in Schuyler County Circuit Court with two counts of dissemination of child pornography, each Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison; and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Ruple is currently detained at the Schuyler County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for March 31.
“My office’s ICAC Task Force works tirelessly to ensure all child predators are held accountable, wherever and whenever they are identified,” Raoul said. “I appreciate the collaboration with state and local law enforcement and am committed to ensuring justice is obtained, which can help survivors and their families as they begin to heal.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Illinois State Police (ISP), Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and Rushville Police Department conducted a search of Ruple’s residence in the 100 block of Anderson St. in Rushville on March 20. Ruple was taken into custody after investigators discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material. At the time of his arrest, Ruple was employed at DHS’ Treatment and Detention Facility, which houses sexually violent offenders. Under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, a person must have been convicted of a sexually violent offense and suffer from a mental disorder to be held at the TDF.
“Disseminating child sexual abuse materials is a heinous crime and the Illinois State Police will continue to tirelessly investigate evidence of sexual abuse to help keep our children safe,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
“The Rushville Police Department was happy to assist the Illinois State Police and Illinois Attorney General’s office to take another perpetrator off the street,” said Rushville Police Chief Rick Wright. “I am incredibly proud of my team’s professionalism and dedication to serving the citizens of Rushville and thankful for the teamwork between the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and the Rushville Police Department in this case.”
Raoul’s office is prosecuting this case with Schuyler 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, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2024, reports to the ICAC increased by 11% over 2023.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 54,700 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 900 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,300 arrests of sexual predators. In 2024, the task force was involved in rescuing more than 45 child victims from ongoing abuse. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to tens of thousands of parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.
Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Jenifer Peck is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
