Hillsboro man Andrew Collins, 32, has been sentenced to 120 months in prison for his involvement in the enticement of a minor. This heinous crime occurred in the 200 Block of Main Street, Hillsboro, Illinois. Collins was sentenced on February 14, 2022, after pleading guilty to the offense on October 14, 2021.
According to evidence presented by the government, Collins engaged in online chats with a 16-year-old minor, where he promised the victim sex, weekends together, nude massages, and a future life together. This predatory behavior was detected by law enforcement agencies through the United States Secret Service and the Central and Southern Illinois Financial and Cyber Crimes Task Force. The agencies played a crucial role in identifying Collins’ online activities and bringing him to justice.
The defendant’s actions violate federal laws that prohibit the enticement of minors. The statutory penalties for this offense include a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, a minimum of 5 years and up to a life term of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Collins will serve 10 years of supervised release after his prison term.
The case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. This program marshals federal, state, and local resources to identify and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to rescue victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore represented the government in the matter and expressed appreciation for the work of law enforcement in identifying Collins’ predatory behavior. The investigation and prosecution of this case serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting children from online predators and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
As the Grimy Times continues to investigate and expose crimes like this, we urge our readers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The safety and well-being of our children are of utmost importance, and we will continue to shed light on crimes that threaten their innocence.
Related Federal Cases
- Auston McLain, Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Travel with Inte… · Connecticut
- Robert Shawn Anderson, Enticement of a Minor, Paxton IL, 2023 · Iowa
- Michael Glawe, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, IA, 2013 · Iowa
- Kevin Trittien, Attempted Enticement of Minor and Distribution of C… · Iowa
- Wayne Carlisle, Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Oelwein IA, 2013 · Iowa
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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