Edwardsville Police Investigate Report of Indecent Solicitation of Child; Suspect in Custody

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced that a 29-year-old Alton man was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, within hours of being notified and initiating an investigation into an allegation of indecent solicitation of a child.

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a formal charging document known as a criminal information on the suspect, James L. Williams, 29 years of age.

The criminal information for Williams included the following offenses:

• COUNT 1: Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 2)

• COUNT 2: Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4)

• COUNT 3: Grooming (Class 4)

The petition for pre-trial detention filed on April 2, 2026, states that James L. Williams is an Edwardsville High School employee. He has also been suspended with pay, the Edwardsville School District said.

Edwardsville Police said Williams was in custody Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Madison County Jail.

If anyone has information regarding Williams, please contact Detective Conor Hoyland at the Edwardsville Police Department, 618-656-2131.

These charges, as well as the statements made herein, are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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