A 67-year-old Peoria man was taken into custody after a joint operation between the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Peoria Police, according to a news release.
Robert Romero ((Knox County Sheriff’s Office)
On May 7, 2025, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Peoria City Police
Department, successfully conducted a joint operation targeting online child exploitation. The
operation aimed to locate a suspect reportedly soliciting minors for sexual acts via online
communication platforms within the Knox County area.
Robert R. Romero was located at his residence in the Peoria area. Romero was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Peoria Police Department for further questioning, then was booked into the Peoria County Jail.
Romero faces charges of indecent solicitation of a child, grooming, and distribution of harmful material to a minor, the release says.
“This investigation underscores the ongoing commitment of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners to protect minors and pursue those who engage in child
exploitation,” the release says.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF – OurQuadCities.com.
Read the full article here
