A Kannapolis teenager who had gone missing was found safe in an Illinois residence, where authorities apprehended a man facing charges related to sexual abuse, drug possession, and illegal firearm possession.
The United States Marshals Service has notified the Lake County Sheriff’s Office about a 15-year-old girl who has gone missing. It is believed that she may be located at a residence in the Chicago suburb of Green Oaks.
Following the acquisition of a search warrant, detectives established surveillance at the residence. At around 4 p.m., Andrew W. Szech, 43, was reportedly observed leaving the home he shared with the victim.
After a thorough investigation, detectives successfully apprehended Szech and safely rescued the missing teenager.
Detectives reportedly recovered the following from their search:
- One firearm
- 2,700+ grams of cannabis
- Nearly 30 grams of psilocybin-laced candy
- 55+ grams of psilocybin mushrooms
- 27 cannabis plants
- 55+ Adderall pills
These are among the charges Szech is facing:
- Three counts of criminal sexual abuse (class 1 felonies)
- Unlawful possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to deliver (class 1 felony)
- Unlawful possession of Adderall with intent to deliver (class 2 felony)
- Aggravated Battery (class 3 felony)
- Unlawful Possession of Cannabis Plants (class 3 felony)
- Two Counts of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (class 4 felonies)
According to the sheriff’s office, Szech initiated online communication with the teenager in June. Allegedly, Szech persuaded her to travel by bus from her residence in Kannapolis to Chicago in early July.
Upon her arrival at the bus station, Szech collected her and brought her to his residence, where she was subjected to sexual abuse.
Additional charges are anticipated by the sheriff’s office. A victim has been successfully removed from her abuser and is now under the care of professionals.
Szech is currently being held without bond according to Lake County Jail records. However, he has been granted a $300,000 bond for the charge of reckless discharge of a firearm.
He made a court appearance on Thursday and is expected to return on Friday afternoon for one of the drug possession charges as reported by QC News.
The Kannapolis Police Department has discovered evidence indicating that the victim was located in Illinois. They expressed their gratitude to the U.S. Marshals Service for their diligent investigation.
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