‘Daddy’ Soliciting Underage Girls on Craigslist Nabbed in Sex Sting: Court

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- A Franklin Park man who took out a Craigslist ad looking for an inexperienced underage girl to have sex with was arrested by Evergreen Park police posing as his teenage date, prosecutors said Friday in court.

Israel Beltran, 37, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on felony charges of indecent solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a minor. He was arrested on Dec. 8 in Evergreen Park.

Beltran allegedly purchased a Craigslist ad last month stating “Daddy loves curious girls” and inviting minors to “come play with daddy.” Evergreen Park police began corresponding with Beltran, posing as a 15-year-old girl named “Jenna,” the prosecutor said.

According to the allegations, officers sent Beltran an email via Craigslist on Dec. 2 asking if he was “like still looking” and if he “liked black girls.” For the next five days, Beltran and “Jenna” began exchanging messages over Craigslist email, in which Beltran discussed his “penis, orgasams and meeting up.”

“Jenna” said she was 15 and busy going to school. She didn’t have her driver’s license. When she expressed concern about “getting into trouble” Beltran reassured her with, “I’m the one who could go to jail,” the prosecutor said.

The undercover police investigation revealed that Beltran sent three sexually explicit photos over Craigslist email to the teen, who was actually a police officer. Beltran also allegedly asked the teen if she “shaved” and discussed illicit sex acts.

The prosecutor said Beltran arranged to meet the girl on Dec. 7 in Evergreen Park, messaging “are you ready for daddy to pick you up,” and sending his GPS location. When he arrived at the Evergreen Park Walgreens at 3959 W. 95th St., he went into the store and came out a few minutes later.

Beltran saw “Jenna” in the parking lot. When he went to shake her hand, undercover officers arrested him. Police confiscated Beltran’s phone, who they said admitted communicating with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old virgin which drew him to Evergreen Park.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Beltran is employed and lives with his mother. She also requested that he get a phone call.

Judge Havis set bail at $500,000. Beltran’s next court appearance is Jan. 3 in Bridgeview.

Cover photo: Cook County Sheriff