Decatur man sentenced to 50 years for ‘horrific’ child sex crimes

Simmy Wood
·2 min read
23

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — In a case that the judge said was one of the worst to come before him, a 52-year-old Decatur man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for several sex crimes involving children.

In October of 2023, Kevin Dial was found guilty of sexual exploitation of minors, receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. At his sentencing hearing on Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Colin S. Bruce described Dial’s actions as “horrific.”

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Evidence was presented during the sentencing that Dial directed another person to sexually abuse three children — one of them just two years old — and ordered that the abuse be recorded on video. A victim also provided a statement outlining the trauma he suffered as a result of the abuse.

“The acts by this defendant are beyond comprehension,” said United States Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “We commend the complex work done locally and abroad by the dedicated law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable among us and seek justice for these innocent victims.”

Dial faced statutory penalties of 15 to 30 years on each count of child sexual exploitation, and up to 20 years for receiving and possessing child pornography. Judge Bruce ordered consecutive sentences for each count.

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The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Philippine National Police worked together on the investigation.

“From Decatur, Illinois, to the Philippines, the FBI’s extensive reach delivered justice to children who were victims of one of the worst child sexual abuse cases we have seen in some time,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “The investigation, which resulted in a significant sentence, demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to use the full strength of our authority to protect children.”

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