Jerseyville Man In Custody After Allegedly Soliciting 12-Year-Old Edwardsville ‘Girl’

EDWARDSVILLE – A Jerseyville man who allegedly believed he was soliciting a 12-year-old “girl” via Facebook faces felony charges after the fake account was operated by an Edwardsville detective.

Kyle Kniffen, 30, of the 400 block of Fairview Avenue in Jerseyville, was charged on April 23, 2026 with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child (a Class 1 felony), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). The charges against him were sealed until his arrest on April 28, 2026, to avoid the risk of his flight from prosecution.

From March 28 to April 21, 2026, Kniffen allegedly knowingly solicited someone he believed to be a 12-year-old female child to perform sexual acts. He is additionally accused of arranging to meet up with the “child” at a Madison County bike trail and her Edwardsville residence, and using an electronic device in an attempt to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice the 12-year-old “child” for purposes of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct.

According to the state’s petition to deny Kniffen’s pretrial release from custody, a detective with the Edwardsville Police Department created a “covert Facebook account” posing as a 12-year-old girl in January of 2026. The “girl” received a friend request from Kniffen on March 27, 2026, after which he asked about her age.

After learning “she” was 12 years old, Kniffen reportedly requested to engage in sexual acts with the child and provided detailed instructions. The petition goes on to state that Kniffen asked to meet with the child “in person on the bike trail and then go back to her house.”

“At all times, there was no indication to believe that Defendant believed he was talking to anyone besides a 12-year-old Edwardsville girl,” the petition states. “Defendant has been previously investigated for committing acts against children.”

The Edwardsville Police Department presented the case against Kniffen, who currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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