Andrew W. Szech, 43, of Green Oaks.

Federal and local investigators rescued a missing child and arrested a man who allegedly sexually abused her at his home in Green Oaks where she had been kept for weeks.

The United States Marshals Service received information on Tuesday about the location of a missing 15-year-old girl from Kannapolis, North Carolina.

The U.S. Marshals learned the girl was possibly located at a house in the 31000 block of Prairie Ridge Road in Green Oaks, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.

The United States Marshals Service informed the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Chicago Field Office and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Members of HSI, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group conducted an immediate investigation, Covelli said.

The investigation produced evidence showing the girl was confirmed to be at the Green Oaks residence.

A search warrant was obtained for the residence on Wednesday.

Covelli said detectives set up surveillance at the home and Andrew W. Szech, 43, who resides at the house, was seen leaving around 4 p.m. with the victim.

Detectives apprehended Szech and rescued the victim, Covelli said.

A further investigation revealed that Szech allegedly began communicating with the victim online in June.

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He encouraged the victim to take a bus from her home to Chicago in early July, Covelli said.

Szech picked the teenager up from the Chicago bus station and took her to his home in Green Oaks where he sexually abused her, Covelli said.

The girl had been at Szech’s home for a few weeks.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Children’s Advocacy Center assisted in the investigation.

A search warrant was conducted at Szech’s home and detectives recovered a firearm, over 2,700 grams of cannabis, nearly 30 grams of psilocybin-laced candy, over 55 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 27 cannabis plants and over 55 Adderall pills.

Covelli said the victim is safe away from her abuser and has been placed in care.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of three counts of criminal sexual abuse, unlawful possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, unlawful possession of cannabis, unlawful possession of Adderall with intent to deliver, aggravated battery, unlawful possession of cannabis plants, two counts of aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless conduct and aggravated assault.

Additional charges are expected. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Szech in custody while awaiting trial.

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“There is not much worse than exploiting a vulnerable child. We will go to all lengths to rescue children and victims from trafficking and sexual abuse,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.

“I am so thankful this child is safe and can begin to receive the assistance and help she needs to begin healing from this terrible situation. I am thankful for the strong collaboration our Office has with our federal and local partners, which led to this rescue and prosecution,” Idleburg said.

Court records show Szech was out on bond in a pending Lake County case at the time of his arrest.

Szech, a convicted felon, had posted 10% of a $300,000 bond in July 2023 after being charged with reckless discharge of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.

Szech was accused in the prior case of firing a gun at a group of people near his residence in Green Oaks and then lying to investigators about being robbed by the group.

“The cash bail system was dangerous for the community in this case. In July 2023, before the effective date of the SAFE-T Act, this offender posted $30,000 on a weapon case – that is now detainable under the SAFE-T Act. After posting cash in 2023, he has been charged with incredibly serious sex cases and a second weapon offense,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart told Lake and McHenry County Scanner.

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“First, we are supporting the victim in every way possible with local and national resources. Second, I want to thank the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and federal authorities for their thorough investigation. Under the SAFE-T act, our prosecutors are now able to seek detention, which, if granted, should keep the defendant in custody the entire time the case is pending. He would be unable to use any cash whatsoever,” Rinehart said.

“As in all detention hearings, it will be up to the judge to decide his level of threat to the community. After his detention status is determined, our Special Victims’ Unit and victim support specialists will hold this offender accountable, further isolate him from the community, and support the victim in the short term and long term,” Rinehart added.

Szech remains held in the Lake County Jail pending a First Appearance Court hearing Thursday morning.