Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today charged a Macomb, Illinois man with dissemination and possession of child pornography. 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 pornography online.
The Attorney General’s office charged Christopher A. Fugate, 38, in McDonough County Circuit Court with five counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies each punishable by up to seven years in prison. Fugate is currently detained at the McDonough County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Feb. 14.
“Child exploitation can leave survivors and their families with a lifetime of emotional scars,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with state and local authorities to ensure these predators are held accountable and survivors receive justice that can support their healing.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Illinois State Police (ISP), McDonough County Sheriff’s Office and Macomb Police Department, conducted a search of Fugate’s residence in the 800 block of North Randolph Street in Macomb on Feb. 7 and arrested Fugate when evidence of child pornography was discovered.
“Preying on children and youth is a diabolical crime,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “ISP special agents continuously investigate cases where there is evidence of child sexual abuse and we will do everything in our power to arrest sexual predators and protect our children.”
Raoul’s office will co-prosecute this case with McDonough County State’s Attorney Matthew Kwacala’s office.
The public is reminded that the defendant is 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 pornography, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2023, reports to the ICAC increased by 46% over 2022.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 185 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 40,900 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 720 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,010 arrests of sexual predators. 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 www.cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at www.childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Katherine Hegarty is prosecuting the case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.
