Quincy man gets 18 years in prison for dissemination of child porn

QUINCY — Timothy Mason, 43, was sentenced Monday by Adams County Circuit Court Judge Tad Brenner after pleading guilty to two counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies.

The Adams County State’s Attorney’s office worked with the office of Attorney General Kwame Raoul as part of a statewide effort, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. 

“This sentence represents justice for the innocent children and their families victimized by predators who trade child sexual abuse material. I hope this can help survivors and their families as they heal from this trauma,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to protect Illinois children by identifying and holding offenders who prey on them accountable.”

Raoul’s investigators conducted a search of Mason’s residence in Quincy in May 2025. He was arrested after evidence of child sexual abuse material was found. The Adams County Sheriff’s office assisted with the arrest.

“The Adams County States Attorney’s office is committed to prosecuting individuals who disseminate child pornography,” said Assistant States Attorney Laura Keck. “We are thankful for the ability to work with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to ensure those individuals are held accountable for their actions.”

Mason received two 9-year sentences to be served consecutively.

Raoul’s office, with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, runs the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2024, reports to the ICAC Task Force increased by 11% over 2023.

Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces throughout the country and is comprised of a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has received more than 60,000 CyberTips and has been involved in more than 1,000 arrests of sexual predators. Since 2006, the Attorney General’s ICAC Task Force has been involved in more than 2,400 arrests of sexual predators. In 2024, the task force was involved in rescuing more than 45 child victims from ongoing abuse. The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to tens of thousands of parents, teachers, students and law enforcement professionals.
 
Child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org. 

Assistant Attorney General Courtney Lindbeck prosecuted the case for Raoul’s High Tech Crimes Bureau.