Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Dixon, Illinois man for allegedly disseminating child sexual abuse material. 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 Heath A. Knipple, 46, in Lee County Circuit Court with six counts of Class X felony dissemination of child pornography, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Knipple is currently detained at the Whiteside County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for July 7.
“Child exploitation is a horrific crime that is made even more reprehensible when the alleged offender is an active and trusted member of the community,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with law enforcement agencies at the federal, state and local levels to locate and bring to justice individuals who engage in the exploitation of minors.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Illinois State Police and investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), conducted a search of Knipple’s residence in the 1200 block of 4th Ave. in Dixon on Wednesday. He was taken into custody after investigators discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material.
"The Illinois State Police will always zealously pursue those who prey upon and exploit children," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "ISP is committed to investigating crimes involving child sexual abuse materials and bringing those perpetrating these crimes to justice."
"The FBI is relentless in our pursuit of protecting our most vulnerable members of society and seeking justice for victims of child exploitation," said Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI. "I commend the dedicated efforts of local law enforcement and our prosecutorial partners whose contributions were invaluable throughout this investigation.”
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 60,000 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 1,000 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,400 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.
Deputy Bureau Chief Shannon O’Brien is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
