Belleville man faces sex abuse charges, police say

A Belleville man has been charged with multiple offenses in connection with the sexual abuse of a minor, Illinois State Police said Wednesday.

Thomas Conner III, 38, faces the following felony charges:

• Involuntary sexual servitude of a minor under 17
• Involuntary sexual servitude of a minor under 18
• Two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse

Conner also was charged with the misdemeanor offense of solicitation of a sexual act.

Illinois State Police and the FBI began an investigation after the East St. Louis Police Department received a complaint in July 2022 of the sexual assault of a minor, according to a news release from the state police.

The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Conner on Nov. 14 and he was arrested at his home by the U.S. Marshals Service on Tuesday.

A detention hearing was conducted on Wednesday and Conner was ordered to be detained, the news release said.

Conner was being held in the St. Clair County Jail Wednesday. St. Clair County court records do list a defense attorney for him.