A Glenview man who was expecting to meet up with a 13-year-old child was arrested and charged with indecent solicitation during an undercover operation in Lake County Thursday, authorities said.
James W. Ropa, 65, of the 1800 block of Dewes Street in Glenview, contacted someone he believed to be a 13-year-old boy on social media on Thursday, Lake County Sheriff Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.
The undercover operation was a joint venture between the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Covelli said.
Ropa believed he was communicating with the 13-year-old boy, Covelli said, but the individual was an undercover detective.
During the conversation, Ropa expressed his desire to meet the “boy” later that evening when the “boy’s” parents were not home, Covelli said.
Ropa also indicated he intended to engage in sexual acts with the “boy” while the parents were away.
Ropa arrived in his vehicle at what he thought was the child’s home in Lake County, Covelli said.
Instead, he was arrested after meeting with NCIS special agents and Lake County Sheriff’s detectives, Covelli said.
After reviewing the facts and circumstances of the incident, Covelli said the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved Class 3 felony charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Traveling to Meet a Minor, as well as Class 4 Felony charges of Solicitation to Meet a Child and Grooming, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office also filed a petition to detain Ropa in Lake County Jail while awaiting trial, Covelli said.
Court records show Lake County Judge James Newton granted the state’s request to detain Ropa during a hearing Friday afternoon.
Ropa is due back in court on February 18.
“Protecting children requires constant vigilance and strong partnerships,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. “This case again underscores how effective collaboration with our law enforcement partners can be in identifying offenders and stopping them before harm occurs.”