April 19, 2024 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

St. Joseph man indicted on child pornography charges

A St. Joseph man, William M. Bell, has been arrested and indicted on federal child pornography charges.


Bell, 39, is a former information technology employee of the Monticello School District.


He was arrested on Feb. 8 on charges returned by the grand jury on Feb. 5.

Following his arrest, Bell was ordered to remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals.

At today’s hearing, U.S. District Judge Harold A. Baker ordered Bell to
remain in law enforcement custody.

Bell is scheduled for trail on March 5 before U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, in Springfield.

The indictment alleges that in July and August 2018, Bell used a computer
or device to send visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also alleges that in November 2018, Bell possessed images of child pornography.

If convicted, the statutory penalty for each count of transportation of child pornography is five to 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000; possession of child pornography carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly M. Peirson.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Champaign County Sheriff’s office, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force of the Illinois Attorney General’s
Office.

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