Quincy man charged with Class X child porn felony in 2020 now likely to get probation at January sentencing

QUINCY — A Quincy man originally charged with a Class X felony for child pornography nearly 3½ years ago is expected to get probation when he is sentenced on Jan. 19.

Sidney Shackleton, 34, appeared with attorney Dennis Woodworth in Adams County Circuit Court on Tuesday afternoon before Judge Scott Larson.

Shackleton was facing a sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections for between six and 30 years had he been found guilty in a jury trial. However, he entered a guilty plea on Tuesday to an amended charge of child pornography, a Class 3 felony punishable for between two and five years in prison. The Class X felony was dismissed as part of plea negotiations.

Larson said Tuesday a lack of prior criminal history, as well as Shackleton completing counseling, was a reason for the amended charge.

“The court has given conditional concurrence in that plea negotiation,” Larson said. “The purpose of a sentencing hearing would be for the court to get final concurrence with that plea negotiation. If the court is final concurrence in that plea negotiation, that it would be a sentenced to probation, the terms of how long that probation can be is set by the court. The specific terms and conditions of that probation are up to the court, and one of those terms and conditions of probation can include jail time.”

Shackleton also would be required to register as a sex offender.

Shackleton was arrested on June 1, 2020, at his home in the 1600 block of Monroe on one count of distribution of child porn. A police report said officers began investigating Shackleton in January 2020 after one of his social media accounts was flagged for what was called “possible child exploitive material.” 

Charging documents in the case said that on Dec. 3, 2019, Shackleton, with the intent to disseminate, possessed a photograph of a child who he “reasonably should have known” was under the age of 13 and showed the child engaging in an act of sexual penetration with an unknown adult male.

Because of Shackleton’s job as a 911 dispatcher for Quincy and Adams County, the investigation was turned over to the state Appellant Prosecutor’s Office. Jennifer Mudge from Madison County was named a special prosecutor.

Bond was set at $200,000, and Shackleton posted 10 percent on June 2, 2020, and was released.

The case has been delayed several times. Judge Amy Lannerd originally was given the case, but she recused herself in August 2022. 

Judge Roger Thomson then was assigned to the case, but the prosecution filed an order for a substitution of judge on Sept. 13, 2022. Judge Tad Brenner was assigned to the case, but the defense filed an order for a substitution of judge on Sept. 20, 2022. Judge Debra Welborn was assigned to the case on Oct. 26, 2022, but she recused herself two days later. 

Larson made his first appearance in the case on April 19, 2023.