PEORIA, Ill. – A grand jury this week returned indictments charging Rachel Miller, 28, and Sebastian Sale, 29, both of the 1400 block of Summit Dr., Pekin, Ill., with alleged sexual exploitation of minors. Both were previously arrested and charged in criminal complaints and were ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Miller is charged with two counts of production of child pornography. The indictment alleges that in March 2019, Miller used a cell phone to send images of herself engaging in sexual activity with a prepubescent male. In January 2020, the indictment alleges Miller used a cellphone to send a video of an adult engaged in sexual activity with a minor child.

Sale is charged with one count of attempted production of child pornography in June 2019, three counts of distribution and one count of possession of child pornography.

If convicted, for each count of production and attempted production of child pornography, the statutory penalty is 15 to 30 years in prison. For each count of distribution and possession of child pornography, the maximum penalty is 20 years in prison

The charges are the result of an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and the Washington, Ill., Police Department.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.