A former Police Chief and School Resource Officer is facing Child Pornography Charges. 

The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed charges against former Village
of Riverton Police Officer James Hillyer, including 8 counts of Child Pornography (Class 2, Child Pornography charges would be subject to potential penalties from probation up to 7 years. If convicted on any child pornography count, the Defendant would be required to register as a sex offender for life.), 5 counts of Official Misconduct (Class 3 felony; probation eligible; 2-5 years in prison), and one count of Grooming (Class 4 Felony; probation eligible; 1-3 years in prison). 

The Court issued an arrest warrant on May 4, 2023 with bond set in the amount of $150,000.00 (10% to apply). The Defendant turned himself in on May 4 without incident through coordination between the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Defendant’s attorney, Greg Sronce. He remains in custody of the Sangamon County Jail.

Prior to serving as a School Resource Officer in the Riverton School District as a Riverton Police Officer, the Defendant had been the Chief of Police for the Village of Spaulding. No further information is available at this time to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation conducted by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.