Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced a Vandalia couple pleaded guilty in Fayette County Court to possessing and disseminating child pornography. Both 39 year old Andrew Wehrle and 38 year old Amber Wehrle were originally charged back in March of 2021. The release from the Attorney General’s office says the case was a result of an investigation that Raoul’s office conducted into an alleged child pornography ring operating in Fayette County.
39 year old Andrew Wehrle pleaded guilty to 2 counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography and 1 count of Production of Child Pornography. He could face up to 26 years in prison.
38 year old Amber Wehrle pleaded guilty to 2 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and 1 count of Indecent Solicitation of an Adult. She could face up to 13 years in prison. Both will be sentenced at a later date.
In March of 2021, the Attorney General’s investigators, with the assistance of the Vandalia Police Department, conducted a search of a residence in the 600 block of North 4th Street and the two were arrested soon after discovering evidence of Child Pornography. The release from the AG’s office goes on to state the search was conducted in connection to child pornography charges Raoul’s office filed in 2021 against another Vandalia man, 47 year old Ferrell Mason Kissiar. The Attorney General’s Office charged Kissiar with 3 counts of Disseminating Child Pornography, 2 counts of Possessing Child Pornography, 1 count of Reproducing Child Pornography, 1 count of Indecent Solicitation of an Adult and 1 count of Conspiracy to commit Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. Kissiar is scheduled for trial on June 20th in Fayette County Court.
In the release, Vandalia Police Chief Jeff Ray says “As law enforcement officials, it is our responsibility to protect children from harm and bring those who exploit them to justice.” Chief Ray goes on to say “I commend the diligent work of all those involved in this investigation and hope that the outcome of this case serves as a reminder that child pornography is a serious crime that will not be tolerated in our communities.”
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