Sex Offender Convicted In Home Invasion Attack May Be In SoCal

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Personnel from the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office this week were assisting their counterparts in Chicago in the search for a registered sex offender, who was recently convicted in absentia of a home invasion attack and may be in Southern California.

Joseph Kopacz, 54, was convicted Nov. 8 on state charges of committing a home invasion attack in October 2016 in Cook County, Illinois.

"Kopacz attempted to sexually assault a victim who had been asleep in the home during the home invasion," FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said on Thursday.

Kopacz, a registered sex offender, was convicted in absentia after fleeing while on bond during his trial, Eimiller said.

He was charged by federal authorities in December with unlawful flight to avoid confinement once it was determined he had left Illinois.

"Kopacz is believed to have been in contact with associates in Riverside County and may be traveling in Southern California," Eimiller said.

Kopacz is white, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 190 pounds with brown hair and eyes and a scar on his lower right arm.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered in exchange for information leading to Kopacz's arrest.

Anyone with information regarding Kopacz's whereabouts was urged to contact their closest FBI office or the FBI's Chicago Field Office at (312) 421- 6700.

— By City News Service / Images via the FBI