BELLEVILLE — A Belleville man was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to reproducing child sexual abuse material involving victims younger than 13, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced.
Jacob W. Burkert, 32, pleaded guilty to two Class X felony counts in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
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In January, investigators from Raoul’s office and Belleville police searched Burkert’s residence in the 200 block of Greenleaf Circle. Burkert was arrested after evidence of child sexual abuse material was found.
“I hope that this sentencing gives survivors and their families the justice needed to help heal from the unimaginable trauma they have been through,” Raoul said. “I am proud of the work of my Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the collaboration with local law enforcement in holding this offender accountable.”
Assistant Attorney General David Sternau prosecuted the case for Raoul’s office.
Raoul’s office operates the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The task force investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies.
The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Reports to the Illinois task force increased 45% in 2025 compared with 2024, according to Raoul’s office.
Illinois’ task force is one of 61 nationwide and includes a network of more than 200 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Since 2019, it has received more than 82,900 CyberTips and been involved in more than 1,150 arrests, the office said. In 2025, it was involved in rescuing more than 30 child victims from ongoing abuse.
The task force also has provided internet safety training and education to more than 1 million parents, teachers and students, as well as more than 25,000 law enforcement professionals.
Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General David Sternau prosecuted the case for Raoul’s office.
