Virden, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A Virden man is accused by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul of distributing child pornography.

Raoul’s office says Jeffrey Bates, 28, faces three counts of Disseminating Child Pornography, with each count being a Class X felony.

Authorities say a search of Bates’ home Monday turned up child sexual abuse material.

“Children who survive exploitation can face a lifetime of trauma, which is why we must help them receive justice by holding the offenders who commit these horrific crimes accountable,” Raoul said, in a news release. “I will continue to work with state and local authorities to ensure these individuals are unable to victimize other innocent children.”

Bates is jailed in Macoupin County and could face up to 30 years in prison on each charge if convicted.

“Thank you to the ICAC Task Force. Without the joint work by this team of investigators these cases would most likely go unsolved,” said Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl, in the same news release.