DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries announced that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago registered sex offender accused of soliciting and attempting to meet whom he thought was a thirteen-year-old girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts. Derrick Willman, age 58, of the block of 100 North Clark Street, appeared in First Appearance Court last Friday afternoon, January 3, 2024 charged with one count of Indecent Solicitation of a Child-Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 3 Felony), one count of Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), one count of Child Sex Offender – Communicate Through the Internet (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Grooming (Class 4 Felony).
Through their ongoing efforts to monitor the Internet for sexual predators, posing as “Melissa,” a thirteen-year-old girl, in a teen online chatroom, the Downers Grove Police Department were allegedly contacted by an individual with a username of “ChiGuy”, later determined to be Willman. Allegedly, “Melissa” told Willman that she is in eighth grade, but despite that, Willman told her he wanted to meet her. Allegedly, during their conversations, Willman asked “Melissa” “u want to make love?” and sent other messages of a sexual nature to “Melissa.” After Willman sent a photo of himself, authorities learned that he has a life requirement to register as a sexual predator arising from a 2023 Minnesota Felony case of Soliciting a Child in Person or Via Computer or Internet. Authorities also learned that Willman is currently serving a five-year term of probation in this case. Allegedly, at some point in time, the Willman and “Melissa” arranged to meet on January 2, 2025. At approximately 6:10 p.m., January 2, 2025, Willman arrived in the parking lot of a Downers Grove hotel where the two had planned to meet. Willman did not go into the hotel, and left the parking lot approximately one hour later. After Willman left the hotel parking lot, Downers Grove police conducted a traffic stop at which time he was taken into custody.
“Undoubtedly, the Internet has become an easily accessible necessity and a part of the everyday lives of millions of people. Unfortunately, this convenience and society’s reliance on the Internet comes with a price. While this case did not involve a thirteen-year-old girl, it serves as a reminder to us all how easy it can be for predators, as alleged in this case, to reach our children without their parents’ knowledge. I encourage parents to talk to their children about Internet safety and to instruct their children to be cautious when communicating with others via Internet chatrooms or other online platforms. I applaud the Downers Grove Police Department for their outstanding police work in building a strong case against Mr. Willman and for their ongoing efforts in protecting the public from those who would harm our children. I thank Assistant State’s Attorney Grace Barsanti for her work on this case as well.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“I would like to thank our team of investigators for their ongoing efforts to proactively identify and investigate internet crimes against children. Their diligence over several months resulted in the arrest of a registered sex offender who believed he was soliciting a sexual act from a minor and traveled to Downers Grove in an attempt to do so. The Downers Grove Police Department will continue to do everything to protect children and hold those looking to harm them accountable for their actions. I would also like to thank DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his office for assisting with this investigation.”
— Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries
Willman’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 27, 2025, in front of Judge Joseph Bugos.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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