A suburban man was detained this week for allegedly sending pornographic images and communications to undercover detectives disguised as a teenager.
Gregory White, a 63-year-old resident of North Aurora, is facing charges of attempted aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor, and manufacturing harmful material.
The Background Story: An investigation was initiated by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Special Victims Unit (SVU) earlier this month, which led to the charges.
The sheriff’s office revealed that they carried out an operation by creating a fake profile of a 16-year-old on a popular website used for advertising commercial sex-related services.
White then reached out to them and supposedly had explicit text conversations with them for several days.
According to the sheriff’s office, White not only asked for but also shared sexually explicit photos, videos, and messages with the person he thought was a 16-year-old. Additionally, he made plans to meet up with this individual with the intention of engaging in sexual activities.
On Monday, White reached the destination where investigators awaited him. They greeted him and apprehended him smoothly, without any trouble.
According to investigators, White reportedly admitted that he had intentions of engaging in sexual acts with the individual he had contacted, under the false assumption that they were 16 years old.
What comes next: White made his first court appearance on Wednesday, during which a judge granted his release until the trial.
The next court hearing is set for March 14.