Rochelle Man And Rock Falls Woman Arrested On Child Sexual Assault Charges

DIXON — A 35-year-old Rochelle man and a 32-year-old Rock Falls woman were arrested in a Lee County case involving the alleged sexual assault and exploitation of children. Edward R. Wilhite was taken into custody April 14 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department on a warrant issued after a Dixon Police Department investigation that began in July 2025. Chelsea A. Morrison was arrested February 26 on related charges and has pleaded not guilty. Investigators identified the two as connected in the case. Wilhite faces two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one count of sexual relations within families, two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, and two counts of distributing harmful material to a minor. Morrison faces similar charges. Wilhite is being held in the Lee County Jail on warrant related and failure to appear matters, with bond set according to court records. The Lee County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Shining Star Children’s Advocacy Center assisted with the investigation.