On August 11, 2026, Ryan Emory (DOB: 5/3/2001), formerly of Tilton, Illinois, pleaded guilty to Child Pornography, a class X felony, and was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Following his term of imprisonment, the defendant will serve 3 years to natural life of mandatory supervised release, to be determined by the Prison Review Board. The plea and sentencing were presided over by Judge Karen E. Wall. The People presented evidence that between August 20, 2024 and January 28, 2025, 11 separate CyberTips, for separate messaging accounts linked by the use of the same Internet Protocol (IP) address in Tilton, Illinois, were sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, for reports of dissemination of child pornography. Through an investigation by Special Agentswith the Illinois State Police, it was determined that Ryan Emory’s specific mobile phone number and mobile device were used to send messages on those accounts, using the IP address in 
Tilton. Communications were recovered that showed Ryan Emory talking about and agreeing to send child pornography. Information confirmed dissemination of 12 total files, 11 with prepubescent children and one moving depiction of a child under the age of 18, all engaged in sexual acts, and in various stages of undress. During an interview with law enforcement, the defendant admitted to creating multiple messaging accounts and using 25 different email accounts, including names associated with the recovered files. The defendant also admitted to having child pornography images and videos and using his mobile device associated with the investigation. Emory admitted to disseminating and receiving multiple files of child pornography.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Illinois State Police for their thorough investigation and for crimes against children and their dedicating to protect children. She added, “Those who participate in the distribution of child pornography must be held accountable for the ongoing damage they cause. My office will continue to work to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. This 15-year prison sentence sends a clear message that those who commit these horrific crimes will face serious consequences.”