Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged an Oswego, Illinois man with the possession of 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 online.
The Attorney General’s office charged McKade J. Murphy, 21, in Kendall County Circuit Court with four counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Murphy is detained at the Kendall County Jail, and his next court date is scheduled for Sept. 25.
“Individuals who trade or download child pornography contribute to the abuse and exploitation of minors and must be held accountable,” Raoul said. “I would like to thank the assistance of our local, state and federal partners in this case. I will continue to collaborate with all levels of law enforcement to protect children and ensure justice for survivors.”
Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Oswego Police Department, the Kendall and Kane County Sheriff’s offices, Homeland Security Investigations and the Illinois State Police Metropolitan Enforcement Group conducted a search of Murphy’s residence in the 600 block of Springbrook Trail North in Oswego and discovered evidence of child sexual abuse videos.
Raoul’s office is prosecuting this case with the assistance of the Kendall 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 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 46,150 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 755 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,145 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 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.
