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Fairview Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Fairview Heights Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Disseminating Child Sexual Abuse Material
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the sentencing of James Scherer for two counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Mar. 10, 2026 at 6:34pm
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James Scherer, a 32-year-old Fairview Heights man, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material. The sentencing was part of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals who download and trade such material online.
Why it matters
Survivors of child exploitation often face lifelong trauma, making it critical to hold those who engage in the distribution of child sexual abuse material accountable. Attorney General Raoul's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force collaborates with law enforcement to find and stop individuals who exploit minors.
The details
Raoul's investigators, along with officers from the Fairview Heights Police Department, conducted a search of Scherer's residence in May 2025 and discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material. Scherer was then taken into custody. The two convictions are Class X felonies.
- Scherer was sentenced on March 10, 2026.
- The search of Scherer's residence occurred in May 2025.
The players
Kwame Raoul
The Illinois Attorney General who announced Scherer's sentencing and oversees the state's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
James Scherer
A 32-year-old Fairview Heights man who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for two counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
Fairview Heights Police Department
The local law enforcement agency that collaborated with the Attorney General's investigators on the case.
What they’re saying
“Survivors of child exploitation often face a lifetime of trauma and attempting to recover from their experiences, making it vital we work to hold individuals who trade and download these heinous images and videos accountable.”
— Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by the Illinois Attorney General's Office and local law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute individuals engaged in the distribution of child sexual abuse material, which can have devastating lifelong impacts on survivors.
