ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARRESTS ROCKFORD MAN AFTER CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIALS INVESTIGATION
May 12, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 12, 2026
ROCKFORD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 2 Special Agents arrested 42-year-old Wayne R. Bouton of Rockford, IL for 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony) after an extensive child sexual abuse investigation.
In February 2026, ISP Special Agents received an online tip and began an extensive investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse materials in Winnebago County. Special Agents identified Bouton as the suspect. On May 12, 2026, Officers executed a search warrant at Bouton’s residence in the 4000 block of Virginia Avenue in Rockford and collected electronic evidence. Bouton was arrested on scene. ISP presented their case to the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, who approved the above-mentioned charges. Bouton is being held at the Winnebago County jail pending his first court appearance.
The Illinois State Police provides resources for parents, for the public to report crimes against children, and survivors to start their path towards healing and recovery. Anonymous tips of child sexual abuse materials can also be reported through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) CyberTip line at www.cybertipline.com. To keep kids safe online, learn more at: https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/onlinesafe/; www.cybertipline.org; For resources for survivors of sexual abuse visit: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/csam-resources/
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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