A Viola man will serve nine years in prison after pleading guilty to charges in an aggravated criminal sexual abuse and child pornography investigation. 36-year-old Thomas Loy will also have to register as a sex offender for life. The guilty plea was entered this week in Mercer County Circuit Court. The aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge was filed last March in connection with allegations involving sexual contact with a minor who was between the ages of 13 and 17. The child porn charges were then filed in May as a result of a Viola Police Department and Illinois State Police investigation.
