Honk News (Chicago) – A judge in DuPage County has ordered a Chicago man, accused of attempting to solicit a teenage girl for sex, to remain in jail.
Judge Joshua Dieden has approved the prosecutors’ request to deny pre-trial release for Derrick Willman, 58, who is a registered sex offender, as stated by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Willman was in court last Friday facing charges related to indecent solicitation of a child, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, traveling to meet a minor, online communication as a child sex offender, and grooming.
Authorities reported that law enforcement in Downers Grove assumed the identity of “Melissa,” a 13-year-old girl, in an online chatroom and were approached by Willman. Even though “Melissa” informed Willman that she was in the eighth grade, he expressed a desire to meet her.
Willman reportedly inquired, “Do you want to make love?” and transmitted additional communications of a sexual nature to “Melissa,” according to prosecutors.
Following the submission of a photo, authorities discovered that he must register as a sexual predator for life due to a 2023 conviction in Minnesota for soliciting a child.
Willman reportedly set up a meeting with “Melissa” last Thursday.
On Thursday at approximately 6:10 p.m., Willman reportedly showed up at the parking lot of a hotel in Downers Grove for a scheduled meeting. He skipped the hotel and exited the parking lot roughly an hour later.
Following his departure, police in Downers Grove pulled over Willman’s vehicle and took him into custody.
“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 is set to appear in court again on January 27.