37° and Clear
Image
FOX32 has reported that a DuPage County judge has ordered that a Chicago man who’s been accused of trying to solicit a teen girl for sex to be held in jail after the judge agreed to deny pre-trial release for the accused.
Judge Joshua Dieden granted prosecutors’ motion to deny pre-trial release for Derrick Willman, 58, a registered sex offender, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Willman appeared in court Friday after being charged with indecent solicitation of a child-aggravated criminal sexual abuse, traveling to meet a minor, communicating through the internet as a child sex offender, and grooming.
Prosecutors said Downers Grove police posed as "Melissa," a 13-year-old girl, in an online chatroom and were contacted by Willman. Despite "Melissa" telling Willman that she was in the eighth grade, he allegedly said he still wanted to meet her.
Willman allegedly asked "u want to make love?" and sent other messages of a sexual nature to "Melissa," prosecutors said.
After he sent a photo of himself, police learned he is required to register as a sexual predator for life after a 2023 conviction in Minnesota for soliciting a child.
"Undoubtedly, the Internet has become an easily accessible necessity and a part of the everyday lives of millions of people," said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a statement. "Unfortunately, this convenience and society’s reliance on the Internet comes with a price. While this case did not involve a thirteen-year-old girl, it serves as a reminder to us all how easy it can be for predators, as alleged in this case, to reach our children without their parents’ knowledge."
Willman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.
