Dieterich, IL-(Effingham Radio)- From the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page:
During the early morning hours of Monday, March 3rd, 2025, Effingham County Deputies and Detectives served an arrest warrant, and a search warrant, on 48-year-old Martin L. Butler of Dieterich. The arrest is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.
The eight criminal counts listed on the warrant were filed in the Effingham County Circuit Court and include charges of:
- Criminal sexual assault, victim 13 to 17 years old
- Four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse
- Indecent solicitation of a child
- Grooming
- Stalking
After the arrest and search warrant were served, three additional felony charges were filed in the Effingham County Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 3rd. Those charges include:
- Criminal sexual assault
- Aggravated criminal sexual abuse, person in a position of trust, victim under 18
- Child pornography
Judge Allan Lolie ruled that Butler should remain in custody since he, “presents a danger to a specific person based on the amount of time he abused the alleged victim.”
Butler is due in court for a preliminary hearing on March 20th.
The Effingham City Police and the Effingham County States Attorney’s Office assisted Effingham County Detectives with the investigation.
Sheriff Kuhns said that this investigation became a priority to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Detectives when it was uncovered, in part due to the nature and seriousness of the crime alleged. He appreciates the assistance from the public and the Effingham Police Officers, who assisted with bringing this investigation to an arrest.
As always, all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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