EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) — A Dieterich man has been charged with 11 felony crimes including criminal sexual assault of a victim 13-17, grooming, and stalking.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office said deputies and detectives served an arrest and search warrant on 48-year-old Martin L. Butler of Dieterich on Monday. 

The warrants came out of an ongoing investigation led by the sheriff's office.

The eight counts listed on the warrant included charges of: criminal sexual assault, victim 13 to 17 years old, four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, grooming, and stalking.

Three additional charges were filed after the search was conducted, which were criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse (person in a position of trust, victim under 18) and child pornography.

During a detention hearing, Judge Allan Lolie ruled that Butler should remain in custody since he, "presents a danger to a specific person based on the amount of time he abused the alleged victim."

Butler is due back in court later this month.

Effingham County Sheriff Paul F. Kuhns said that this investigation became a priority to the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office Detectives when it was uncovered, in part due to the nature and seriousness of the crime alleged. 

Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.