Pleasant Hill man facing child pornography charges

PITTSFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation recently arrested John Coultas, 29, of Pleasant Hill for possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony.

DCI agents initiated an investigation in February 2020 after learning a subject was distributing child pornography through an online platform. During the investigation, ISP Investigators assigned to the Office of the Illinois Attorney General Internet Crimes Against Children task force gathered evidence from Coultas. ISP gained access to the digital devices through an advancement in technology, which led to the discovery of child pornography in February 2023.

Pike County State’s Attorney Zachary Boren filed charges on March 10 against Coultas for possession of child pornography. Pike County Circuit Judge J. Frank McCartney issued an arrest warrant for Coultas, who was taken into custody by DCI agents.

Coultas was transported to the Pike County Jail where he remains in custody, with bond set at $400,000, 10 percent to apply. This investigation is open and on-going. Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact ISP Zone 4 agents at (217) 782-4750.

Anonymous tips of child pornography can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s cyber tip line at www.cybertipline.com.