ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES SCOTT COUNTY SEX OFFENDER WHO ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO REGISTER, WITH ONLINE GROOMING

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES SCOTT COUNTY SEX OFFENDER WHO ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO REGISTER, WITH ONLINE GROOMING

September 30, 2025

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Naples, Illinois man for allegedly grooming young children for sexual acts via online chatrooms and failing to register as a sex offender. The case is part of Raoul's ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online.

The Attorney General's office charged Brandon Everhart, 25, in Scott County Circuit Court with two counts of grooming, Class 4 felonies each punishable up to three years in prison, and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony punishable up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Everhart is currently detained at the Scott County Jail, and his next court appearance is Oct. 27.

"Youth and children should be cautious when chatting online, and parents need to know who their children are interacting with. The person on the other end of that conversation could be someone who preys on children," Raoul said. "My office's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to partner with local law enforcement agencies like the Scott County Sherrif's office to locate and stop individuals who groom or exploit minors."

On Sept. 27, Raoul's investigators, along with the Scott County Sheriff's office conducted a search of Everhart's residence in the 400 block of Clinton Street in Naples. He was taken into custody after investigators discovered evidence he had allegedly been grooming young children to chat sexually or engage in sexual conduct. Green was detained Sept. 29 at the Scott County Jail.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Raoul's office will co-prosecute this case with Scott County State's Attorney Richard Crews.

"I have previously worked with the Attorney General's Office on other cases and am very appreciative of their professionalism and legal ability," Crews said. "I am sure this matter will be handled promptly and justice will be served."

Raoul's office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2024, reports to the ICAC Task Force increased by 11% over 2023.

Illinois' ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has received more than 60,000 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 1,000 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General's ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,400 arrests of sexual predators. In 2024, the task force was involved in rescuing more than 45 child victims from ongoing abuse. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to tens of thousands of parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.

Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.

Assistant Attorney General Victoria Chaves is prosecuting the case for Raoul's High Tech Crimes Bureau.