17 Men Cited for Lewd Conduct in Will County Forest Preserves

By SCOTT VIAU (Patch Staff)

Seventeen men were cited last week for alleged lewd conduct after police with the Forest Preserve District of Will County conducted a sting operation.

According to Forest Preserve District Lieutenant Tracy Chapman, the men allegedly propositioned forest preserve officers for sexual activity. No actual sexual activity occurred.

The men are residents of Romeoville, Lemont, Downers Grove, Shorewood, Aurora, Joliet, Darien, Bolingbrook, Plainfield and Lockport, according to Chapman, who said their names would not be released.

“We struggled with whether we should or shouldn’t,” Chapman said. “It’s a touchy subject since these are married men with children. It’s illegal activity and we’re citing them for that. They’ll have to go to court.”

The incidents occurred between March 8 and March 10 within Veterans Woods in Romeoville, Hammel Woods in Shorewood and the Keepataw Preserve in Lemont.

“It’s pretty common in the forest preserves throughout the state of Illinois,” Chapman said.

Other charges for public indecency, misdemeanor battery and possession of drug paraphernalia also were given to some of the men.

Chapman said officers with the Forest Preserve will conduct operations of this sort a few times a year, as well as trail and bike safety details.