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Hillsboro Man Pleads Guilty For Enticing A Minor

A Hillsboro man has pleaded guilty to the charge of enticement of a minor. 32-year-old Andrew B. Collins of Hillsboro pleaded guilty to the charge on Friday. Sentencing is scheduled for February 14th, 2022 in the US District Court for the Central District of Illinois in Springfield.

 

Collins appeared before US Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins and admitted to enticing a 16-year-old boy. During the hearing, the government stated that chats between Collins and the minor showed him offering the minor toys, weekends together, massages, and the option to live permanently together at a later time. 

 

For the offense of enticement of a minor, the penalty is not less than ten years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and probation for not less than five years and up to life. The US Secret Service, Southern Illinois University Police Department, Cyber Crimes Task Force, and Assistant US Attorney Gregory Harris worked together on this investigation. 

 

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood and works to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. 

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