Crystal Lake Ice Rink Incident: Sex Offender Accused Of Inappropriate Behavior

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL — A registered sex offender is being held in custody while awaiting trial after police say he engaged in inappropriate behavior while at an ice rink in Crystal Lake.

John Kaspari, 74, of Johnsburg, is accused of talking to a child at Crystal Ice House, 320 Prairie St., Crystal Lake, and getting his phone number. He then allegedly began texting the child directly from June 5 through June 12, according to a news release from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office.

Authorities said an investigation into Kaspari began after Crystal Lake police received complaints about inappropriate behavior by a man, who was later identified as Kaspari, attending open skate sessions at the ice rink.

Kaspari has been charged with communication with a child by a registered sex offender, which is a class 4 felony. He previously was convicted in 2021 of possession of child pornography and is required to comply with sex offender restrictions prohibiting contact with minors without lawful justification, according to prosecutors.

At a detention hearing for the recent charge, a McHenry County judge denied pre-trial release for Kaspari, who will remain behind bars as the case moves forward.

Kaspari is scheduled to return to court on June 23.