A Hillsboro man has been sentenced to 120 months of prison and 10 years of supervised release after being sentenced on Monday. 32-year-old Andrew Collins of the 200 block of Main Street in Hillsboro was given the sentence for enticement of a minor. The sentencing hearing was held before US District Court Judge Sue Myerscough.
Collins plead guilty on October 14th, 2021 after the government presented evidence that online chats between him and a 16-year-old minor showed him persuading the minor to have sex with him by offering toy gifts and promises of weekends together, nude massages, and permanently living together in the future.
For the offence of enticement of a minor penalties are not less than ten years and up to life in prison, not less than five years and up to a life term of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sierra Senor-Moore, represented the government and says that she appreciated the work of law enforcement in identifying the predatory online behavior and bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Agencies involved include the US Secret Service and Central and Southern Illinois Financial and Cyber Crimes Task Force.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
