PEORIA, IL – Benjamin J. Wilson, 42, formerly of Peoria, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for 90 months after pleading guilty to possessing horrific images of child sexual abuse. The sentence, handed down November 18, 2021, reflects the gravity of the crime and the lasting trauma inflicted upon the victims depicted in the illegal content.
U.S. District Court Judge James E. Shadid didn’t mince words during the sentencing hearing, acknowledging the “significant and long-lasting impact” the images would have on the children involved. Wilson, who has been detained by U.S. Marshals since his arraignment on the indictment, will now begin serving his sentence for the offense, which allegedly occurred in November 2019.
The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Secret Service Central Illinois Cyber Crime Unit, with crucial assistance from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office, uncovered Wilson’s disturbing collection. While the statutory maximum for possession of child pornography is a hefty 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, Judge Shadid determined 90 months was appropriate given the specifics of the case.
This case is part of a larger national effort, “Project Safe Childhood,” a Department of Justice initiative aimed at dismantling networks of child sexual exploitation. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), the program pools federal, state, and local resources to identify predators and rescue victims. Information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
Wilson’s troubles won’t end with his prison sentence. Upon release from the Bureau of Prisons, he will be subjected to ten years of federal supervised release and will be legally obligated to register as a sex offender, a permanent mark of his heinous crime. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Morris and Katherine G. Legge successfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction that sends a clear message: the exploitation of children will not be tolerated.
The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal investigations that impact our communities. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of the internet and the relentless work of law enforcement agencies dedicated to protecting vulnerable children. Anyone with information regarding suspected child exploitation is urged to contact their local authorities or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Related Federal Cases
- Cyberstalker Indicted for Child Pornography and Threats · Pennsylvania
- Emily Wilson, Email Theft, California 2022 · Washington
- Scott West, Child Exploitation, Springfield IL, 2025 · Wisconsin
- Alexis De La Cruz, LA SIM Swapper Admits to Hacking Instagram User … · Maine
- Tyler Barriss, Online Stalking, Orange County CA, 2022 · Kentucky
Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Press Release
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