Police arrested a former McHenry County youth volleyball coach after he allegedly solicited a child online and traveled to meet up with the “child” for sex in Lake County.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) concluded an investigation Wednesday into Philip S. Bromley, 44, of McHenry.
Bromley was communicating online for the past several weeks with an undercover detective, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The detective was posing as a girl under the age of 14.
Bromley enticed the child to meet with him for the purpose of a sexual relationship, Covelli said.
Bromley traveled to Lake County after working out a plan to meet the “girl” to engage in the encounter, Covelli said.
Bromley was met by detectives with the Special Investigations Group when he arrived to meet the girl on Wednesday.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved charges of indecent solicitation of a minor, traveling to meet a minor and grooming.
Detectives learned Bromley is a former youth volleyball coach in the McHenry County area.
A booking photo showed Bromley wearing apparel with the logo of Sky High Volleyball, which is based in Crystal Lake.
Sky High Volleyball Executive Director Scott Harris told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that Bromley has not been employed with the organization for approximately 10 years.
Records show Bromley was also previously employed at Dundee-Crown High School as a volleyball coach.
Anyone that may have been victimized by Bromley is encouraged to file a report with their local law enforcement agency, Covelli said.
“Our Special Investigations Group apprehended another man who used social media to prey on our most vulnerable,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“We continue to stress the importance to parents and guardians – be vigilant and monitor who your children are talking to on social media. Predators commonly use these applications to entice children,” Idleburg said.
Bromley remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing Thursday morning.