Romeoville Walmart Worker Tried Seducing 12-Year-Old, Was Really Communicating With Cop: Police

ROMEOVILLE, IL — A Romeoville man attempted to seduce a 12-year-old girl into having sex but was actually communicating with a cop, according to a criminal complaint filed in Will County court.

Joseph Atlas, 28, faces a felony charge of grooming.

Atlas, an employee of the Plainfield Walmart, “knowingly used a cellular phone to solicit” a 12-year-old girl to “engage in an act of sexual penetration,” the complaint said.

But instead of a child, Atlas was actually talking to the “12-year-old female persona of Investigator Katie Brawner,” the complaint said.

Atlas allegedly did this in March.

Atlas remains at large. The warrant for his arrest carries a $30,000 bond.

photo via Patch archive