$1 Million Bail Stands For Accused Craigslist Teen Sex Solicitor

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- A North Side man’s search on Craigslist for “young girls” led him straight to Evergreen Park police last October, who had targeted him in an undercover sex sting, prosecutors said. Jose Figueroa, 32, was in court Wednesday before Cook County Judge Kerry Kennedy hoping to get his $1 million bail reduced. Figueroa is facing felony charges of traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child, loitering near a school and grooming. He was convicted in 2011 of indecent solicitation of a child and is required to register as a sex offender.

Figueroa was arrested on Oct. 25, 2017 within 500 feet of Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences in Mount Greenwood. According to Evergreen Park police, Figueroa had posted on Craigslist, stating that he was "IN SEARCH OF YOUNG GIRLS-MALE FOR WOMAN-FROM ANDERSONVILLE." Figueroa also included in the ad that he "wanted to have intercourse with young girls" and "age is just a number," according to the charges.

The cops emailed him back, posing as a 14-year-old girl. Figueroa allegedly texted the girl, asking if she was a virgin. He also sent photos of his penis and asked the teen to send nude photos of herself in return, the prosecutor said. He allegedly agreed to meet up with the “teen” at 111th Street and Pulaski, but texted that he was worried about police. When she got into the car, she was to grab him right away, the prosecutor said.

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When Figueroa arrived near the high school, Evergreen Park police moved in an arrested him, according to the charges. Following his arrest, he prosecutor said that Figueroa told police he ran 200 or 300 Craigslist ads, and probably met up with 25 to 40 underage girls. Figueroa reportedly denied having sex with any of them. Figueroa’s bail was set at $1 million during a bond hearing last fall.

“He can’t control himself,” the prosecutor told the judge. "He’s a danger to every child as long as he’s out on bond.”

The prosecutor further argued that Figueroa knew the girl he was alleged to be meeting was 14 and not of legal age.

“Look up the text messages to the [teen],” the prosecutor said.

Figueroa’s assistant public defender told the judge that Figueroa had a degree in broadcast communications from DePaul University and was a freelance photographer.

Kennedy denied the motion to reduce bail. The prosecutor could be overheard saying “nice try” after Figueroa was led out of the courtroom. Figueroa is due back in court May 21 in Bridgeview.