Traveling To Meet A Minor: Braidwood Man Arrested At Forest Preserve

WILMINGTON, IL — A 44-year-old Braidwood man faces two felony charges of solicitation to meet a child and traveling to meet a minor following this week's arrest of Nathaniel Welch at the Forsythe Woods near Wilmington, according to deputy police chief David Barrios of the Will County Forest Preserve Police Department.

Barrios said that the Predator Proof Facebook group had notified police that it had arranged for a meeting with Welch at the Forsythe Woods on Monday afternoon and that Welch would arrive there expecting to meet up with a 15-year-old girl.

Barrios said the Predator Proof members also shared with police several text messages that were sent to them by Welch expressing his intentions of meeting up with a 15-year-old girl. Welch also sent the group a photo of his private parts, according to the deputy chief.

When Welch arrived at the Forsythe Woods, he did not find a 15-year-old girl looking to meet up with him, instead he was confronted by several men from the Predator Proof group who were videotaping the event, and then he was taken into custody by forest preserve police.

Barrios said his agency worked closely with the Will County Sheriff's Office and Will County State's Attorney's Office to capture Welch at the Forsythe Woods and make the arrest.

Welch was driving a Ford F150 pickup truck, and the truck has been impounded for a possible forfeiture action.

"I'm glad we were able to get him," Barrios said.

After spending two days in the Will County Jail, Welch returned to his home in Braidwood. He was let out of the jail around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Afterward, Predator Proof announced on Facebook that Nathaniel Welch "has been released from the Will County Jail. He’s clearly unpredictable. Keep your kids away from him. Someone who sent a picture of his naked body to someone who he OBVIOUSLY thought to be 15, will be able to walk around your very own towns at this very moment.

"Be sure to watch out for him. He is from the Braidwood, IL area. I’m really sorry everyone."