A Petersburg, Illinois man has pleaded guilty to 34 felony counts of child pornography, putting a dark chapter in the lives of dozens of innocent children to rest. Adam L. Power, 30, of the 500 block of 8th Street in Petersburg, Illinois, admitted to producing, distributing, and receiving child pornographic images and videos of minors between July 2022 and February 2023.
According to the facts in support of his plea, Power used online chatting applications such as Snapchat and Kik to identify himself as a minor female, tricking minor males into producing child pornographic images and videos of themselves. He also distributed and received visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, committing crimes that will haunt these children for the rest of their lives.
Power was originally arrested in Petersburg, Illinois, on March 21, 2023, and charged with possession of child pornography by the Menard County State’s Attorney’s Office. However, it was the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois in Springfield that charged him with production, distribution, and receipt of child pornography on June 30, 2023. A Grand Jury returned a ten-count indictment on July 6, 2023, which was later superseded by a 34-count indictment on January 3, 2024.
Power has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service since June 30, 2023, and faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for each of the seven counts of production of child pornography. He could also receive up to 20 years in prison for each of the 27 counts of receipt and distribution of child pornography, as well as up to 20 years in prison for the single count of possession of child pornography.
The investigation into Power’s crimes was a collaborative effort between the Department of Homeland Security, Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Athens Police Department, Illinois State Police, Petersburg Police Department, and the Menard County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner K. Jacobs is representing the government in the prosecution.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. It is a stark reminder that law enforcement agencies will not rest until those who exploit and harm our children are brought to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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