A 72-year-old Geneseo man was sentenced to a total of 7.5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for possession of child pornography. According to a letter Paul Higgins wrote to Judge Patton, he suffers from a serious medical condition and doesn’t believe he is receiving the necessary medical care. However, he didn’t peruse action on the letter. Paul Higgins accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to two counts of Possession of Child Pornography (victim under 13),. By law, the sentences for each count are served consecutively to each other. He received credit for 268 days served in the Henry County Jail.
He was sentenced to four (4) years in the IDOC for count 1, followed by one (1) year of Mandatory Supervised Release, a $1,000 fine, and assessments. The sentence will be served at 50%.
He was sentenced to three-and-a-half (3.5) years in the IDOC for count 2, followed by one (1) of Mandatory Supervised Release, a $1,000 fine, and assessments. The sentence will be served at 50%.
The two counts he pleaded guilty to are videos of childrenengaged in sexual acts with adults.
The remaining counts of possession of pornography and possession of a gun without a valid FOID we’re dismissed
Authorities arrested 72-year-old Paul Douglas Higgins following a raid on his home on North Vail Street in June of 2024. This action, led by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and local police as part of the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, uncovered numerous images and videos of suspected child pornography. During the search, law enforcement also seized multiple firearms, including one firearm that was an illegal length under State law