Swansea teen sentenced in child pornography case, attorney general says

A Swansea teenager was given a 15-year prison sentence in a child pornography case, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office announced Thursday.

Elijah I. Ames, 19, had pleaded guilty in November to two felony counts of dissemination of child sexual abuse material, according a news release from Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Ames was sentenced on Wednesday by St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Robert Haida.

Ames was initially charged in 2023 with 15 offenses: four counts of dissemination of child pornography and 11 counts of possession of child pornography, according to a news release from Raoul at the time.

Ames was represented in his sentencing hearing by Jen Kusmer, an attorney with the Frank & Juengel Law Group in St. Louis.

Kusmer said the state was seeking a sentence of 24 years and she proposed a sentence of 12 years. Haida decided on 15.

“I think due to Elijah’s age at the time of these offenses that is a huge factor that played into the judge’s choice and our arguments,” Kusmer said Thursday.

“The internet has become a very concerning and dangerous place for young people who have the same level of critical thinking skills that adults have and being able to discern what is activity that can lead people down illegal paths.”

Kusmer said Ames could be eligible for parole in 7 ½ years.

This 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 pornography online,” according to the news release.

“This sentence represents justice for minor victims who have been exploited and abused,” Raoul said in a statement. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force works tirelessly to identify and track down individuals who download or trade these horrific photos and videos, and I will continue to partner with local law enforcement to hold these offenders accountable.”

Ames was arrested in September 2023 after state investigators and Swansea officers raided his home, according to the news release.

Assistant Attorney General Jenifer Peck prosecuted this case.

This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM.