Detectives say a Chicago man extorted a Lake County child and sexually assaulted her for months, which the sheriff called “despicable,” before deputies found her shoved out of the man’s moving car in Ingleside.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded on September 1 to the area of Helendale Road and Rollins Road in Ingleside for a report of a child on the ground.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and determined the girl had been shoved out of a moving vehicle, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
She was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Sheriff’s detectives were assigned to investigate and they determined the girl met Montreal M. Montgomery, 22, of Chicago, on social media earlier this year.
Montogomery drove to Lake County to meet the girl on several occasions prior to September 1 and he pressured the girl into a sexual relationship, Covelli said.
Covelli said Montgomery obtained nude photographs of the girl and threatened to share the photos with others if the girl did not continue their “sexual relationship.”
Montgomery again came to Lake County and picked up the girl on September 1.
The girl pleaded with Montgomery to delete the nude photos of her from his cell phone as he was driving, Covelli said.
Covelli said Montgomery became enraged and pushed the girl out of the moving car and fled from the area.
Detectives located Montgomery on Friday and arrested him.
Sheriff’s detectives worked with Fox Lake police detectives since one of the sexual assaults took place in Fox Lake.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved two counts of criminal sexual assault, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated domestic battery, two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of traveling to meet a minor.
“The actions of this offender are despicable and serve as a stark reminder of the real dangers children face on social media. It is imperative parents are very involved when it comes to who their children are communicating with online,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“I am proud of the swift work of our staff and proud of the collaboration to hold this man accountable. We wish the victim the very best in her road to recovery,” Idleburg said.
Montgomery remains held in the Lake County Jail pending a First Appearance Court hearing on Saturday morning.