HILLSBORO, IL – Andrew B. Collins, 32, of Hillsboro, Illinois, has confessed to a sickening crime: enticing a 16-year-old boy into sexually explicit activity. The plea, entered Friday, October 15, 2021, in federal court, reveals a calculated grooming operation conducted through online chats. Collins now faces a potentially life-altering sentence.
According to court documents, Collins didn’t simply stumble into this offense. He actively persuaded the minor to engage in intercourse, leveraging a disturbing array of enticements. Investigators uncovered evidence of toy gifts offered as bait, promises of weekend getaways, and even offers of nude massages. The most chilling detail? Collins allegedly proposed a permanent living arrangement, painting a false picture of a stable, loving future to manipulate the vulnerable teenager.
The case unfolded with the involvement of the U.S. Secret Service – a surprising agency for this type of crime, but indicative of the increasingly online nature of child exploitation – alongside the Southern Illinois University Police Department, working through the Central and Southern Illinois Attorney General’s Financial and Cyber Crimes Task Force. It’s a stark reminder that predators are adapting, using technology to conceal their actions and target victims.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins presided over the change-of-plea hearing. Collins’ sentencing is currently scheduled for February 14, 2022, in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Springfield. The statutory penalty for enticement of a minor is severe: a minimum of ten years, and a maximum of life imprisonment. He also faces a potential fine of up to $250,000 and a supervised release term ranging from five years to life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris is leading the prosecution, and this case is being prosecuted under the umbrella of “Project Safe Childhood,” a Department of Justice initiative. This program is designed to combine federal, state, and local resources to aggressively target those who exploit children online, locate victims, and bring perpetrators to justice. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking online and the importance of vigilance. While the Secret Service typically focuses on financial crimes, their involvement highlights the blurring lines between financial exploitation and the grooming of vulnerable children. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as sentencing approaches and will provide updates as they become available.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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