An employee at the McLean County jail has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.
Trent W. Arbuckle, 56, of Hudson, faces two counts of possession of child pornography of a victim under 13. The Class 2 felonies are punishable by up to seven years in prison each. The charges were brought by the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
Arbuckle has been a McLean County jail control room supervisor, a civilian position, since 2023 and was previously a correctional officer.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the case is a part of his office’s work to collaborate with federal and local law enforcement to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online.
“It is unacceptable for anyone to exploit children on the internet, but this offense is even more shocking when allegedly committed by a member of law enforcement,” Raoul said in a statement. “This horrendous crime leaves lifelong scars on survivors and their families, which is why my office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will continue to work with local authorities to hold these predators accountable — no matter who they are.”
The attorney general’s office arrested Arbuckle at his home in the 300 block of North West Street in Hudson upon the discovery of the evidence. The McLean County Sheriff’s Office and Bloomington Police Department assisted.
Arbuckle is detained at the Champaign County jail; a court date is set for Sept. 4.
In a statement, McLean County Sheriff Matt Lane said Arbuckle was placed on administrative leave before being transferred to Champaign. He plan's to seek termination of Arbuckle's employment.
Raoul’s office said 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.
