Midlothian Man Accused Of Soliciting Underage Girl On Snapchat

HODGKINS, IL — A Midlothian man is accused of soliciting a 12-year-old girl over Snapchat. Austin Pullam, 19, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a class X felony charge of predatory criminal sexual assault.

According to the charges, Pullam befriended the Hodgkins girl Feb. 26 over Snapchat. They continued to communicate and agreed to meet, the prosecutor said. Pullem is alleged to have sexually assaulted the girl in his car. They continued to communicate by phone. The girl’s mother found her phone and text messages between Pullam and her daughter, some of which were sexual in nature, the prosecutor said.

The mother called the Hodgkins police. Officers were in the house when the girl returned home. Pullam was arrested on March 11. Court records indicate that Pullam has no prior criminal background.

The assistant public defender said that Pullam still lives at home with his mother and stepfather, both of whom were in court.

“This is really sad, mom and dad,” Mahoney said. “I’m so sorry for your trouble.”

When the judge ordered Pullam to be held without bond, his stepfather gasped.

The public defender asked the judge to consider $100,000 bail and electronic home monitoring.

“I don’t think so,” Mahoney said.

Pullam’s next court date is April 19 in Bridgeview.