Litchfield Man Charged for Disseminating Child Sexual Abuse Material

Attorney General Kwame Raoul announces arrest as part of ongoing efforts to stop online exploitation of minors

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Illinois Attorney General's office has charged a 19-year-old Litchfield man, Dean Beasley, with four counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material, which are Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Beasley was arrested after a search of his residence uncovered evidence of the alleged crimes. The Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is leading the investigation and prosecution in collaboration with local law enforcement.

Why it matters

Crimes involving the exploitation and abuse of minors are deeply disturbing and have long-lasting traumatic impacts on survivors and their families. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by the Illinois Attorney General's office and law enforcement partners to identify, apprehend and prosecute individuals who engage in the distribution of child sexual abuse material online.

The details

Investigators from the Illinois Attorney General's office and the Illinois State Police South Central Illinois Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at Beasley's residence in Litchfield, where they found evidence of child sexual abuse material. Beasley was subsequently arrested and charged with four counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material, which are Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The Attorney General's office is prosecuting the case along with the Montgomery County State's Attorney's office.

  • On Wednesday, investigators executed a search warrant at Beasley's residence.
  • Beasley was arrested after the search uncovered evidence of the alleged crimes.

The players

Kwame Raoul

The Attorney General of Illinois, who announced the charges against Beasley as part of the state's ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals who exploit minors online.

Dean Beasley

A 19-year-old Litchfield, Illinois resident who has been charged with four counts of disseminating child sexual abuse material, which are Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Illinois State Police South Central Illinois Drug Task Force

A law enforcement agency that collaborated with the Illinois Attorney General's office in the investigation that led to Beasley's arrest.

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What they’re saying

“Survivors and their families may never heal from the trauma caused by child exploitation, and they deserve to see the individuals who trade and download these heinous images and videos held accountable.”

— Kwame Raoul, Attorney General of Illinois (riverbender.com)

What’s next

Beasley is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail awaiting his detention hearing, where a judge will decide whether to allow him to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing battle against the exploitation of minors and the critical role that law enforcement agencies play in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting individuals who engage in the distribution of child sexual abuse material. The Attorney General's office remains committed to partnering with local and federal agencies to protect vulnerable children and hold offenders accountable.