Millstadt Scout leader faces child pornography charges

A Scout leader from the Millstadt area was charged Wednesday with 15 counts of child pornography possession, according to court records and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Kaleb Rakers, 25, was arrested early Wednesday at his home in the 5000 block of Algonquin Forrest Road, south of Millstadt, after investigators searched his residence, according to the St. Clair County Jail and a news release from Raoul’s office.

“Rakers was arrested after evidence of child sexual abuse material was found,” the release states. “Rakers is affiliated with Boy Scout Troop 8622 in Millstadt.”

A representative from Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

St. Clair County court records do not list an attorney for Rakers, who was being held in the county jail Wednesday afternoon.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Illinois attorney general’s office, according to Raoul’s news release. The main number in Springfield is 217-782-1090.

“Child exploitation is particularly reprehensible when committed by someone children should be able to trust,” Raoul said in the news release. “That exploitation leaves life-long scars for survivors and their families, which is why it is essential to hold the perpetrators of these horrific crimes accountable.”

Each felony charge of possession carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, Raoul said.

This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 5:34 PM.