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Rushville man sentenced in child pornography case

Judges Or Auctioneers Walnut Gavel And Sound Block On The Empty Black Table In The Back Light. Overhead View.
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Judges Or Auctioneers Walnut Gavel And Sound Block On The Empty Black Table In The Back Light. Overhead View.

A judge sentenced a former employee of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Rushville Treatment and Detention facility to 20 years in prison in a child pornography case.

Billy R. Ruple, Jr., 45, of Rushville pleaded guilty on Monday to two felony counts of dissemination of child pornography. 10 other charges against him were dismissed.

Ruple was sentenced by Schuyler County Circuit Court Judge Mark Vincent

Investigators from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, Illinois State Police, the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rushville Police Department searched Ruple’s home in March.

He was arrested after investigators found child sexual abuse materials.

Raoul’s office and Schuyler County State’s Attorney Chuck Laegeler prosecuted the case.

Ruple was a security and therapy aide at the Rushville detention facility, which houses sexually violent offenders.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Rich is TSPR's News Director.