Wauconda Man Arrested In Child Solicitation Investigation

WAUCONDA, IL — A three-month undercover investigation into claims a Wauconda man was trying to meet with an underage girl led to the man's arrest Monday by local authorities.

Corey J. Hendricks, 21, faces charges of indecent solicitation of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to a news release from the Wauconda Police Department.

Police said the volunteer group Worldwide Predator Hunters reached out to the department in January to report that a local man was trying to meet with a teenage girl. Wauconda police investigated the report, along with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Cyber Division, the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Lake County Special Investigations Group.

Police said that at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Hendricks drove to a home in the 300 block of Wethington Drive with the intention of committing a sex act with an underage girl. Police said that at no time was she in harm’s way. While in contact via text with someone Hendricks believed to be the teen, he walked up to the home and tried to go inside, according to the news release. Hendricks was arrested immediately and taken to the Lake County Courthouse for a bond hearing, authorities said.

According to Lake County Sheriff's Office reports, Hendricks' bond was set at 10 percent of $100,000. His next court date is listed as March 31, according to the sheriff's office.