GREEN OAKS, IL – Andrew Szech, 43, has been arrested after he tricked a 15-year-old girl into traveling from Kannapolis, North Carolina, to Chicago, Illinois, and sexually assaulting her, a news release said.
Andrew Szech
The press release states that the United States Marshals Service has received information that a missing girl has been found in a home in Green Oaks, Illinois on Prairie Ridge Road, an hour outside of Chicago.
Evidence obtained from an investigation confirmed the girl was in the residence and a search warrant was obtained for the residence on July 24, according to Lake County. At 4 p.m. that day, Szech was seen leaving the residence with the victim and detectives arrested him and rescued the girl.
The following was found during the search of the home:
- One firearm
- More than 2,700 grams of cannabis
- Almost 30 grams of candy with psilocybin
- More than 55 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
- 27 cannabis plants
- Over 55 Adderall Pills
Investigators say the ongoing investigation revealed that Szech contacted the victim online in June and convinced her to take a bus from Kannapolis to Chicago in early July. There, Szech took her to his Green Oaks residence and sexually abused her.
Szech is accused of:
- Three counts of criminal sexual abuse (class 1 felonies)
- Unlawful possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to supply (Class 1 felony)
- Unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to supply (class 1 offence)
- Unlawful possession of cannabis (class 2 felony)
- Unlawful possession of Adderall with intent to deliver (Class 2 felony)
- Aggravated Assault (Class 3 Felony)
- Unlawful possession of cannabis plants (class 3 felony)
- Two counts of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (Class 4 Felonies)
- Reckless Endangerment (Class A Misdemeanor)
- Aggravated Assault (Class A Felony)
More charges are expected.
Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said: “There is nothing worse than the exploitation of a vulnerable child. We will do everything we can to rescue children and victims of human trafficking and sexual abuse. I am so grateful that this child is safe and can receive the help and assistance she needs to begin healing from this horrible situation. I am grateful for the strong partnership our office has with our federal and local partners, which has led to this rescue and prosecution.”
