Round Lake Man Charged With Sexual Abuse

WAUKEGAN, IL — A Round Lake man was charged this week with sexually abusing a child. Steve W. Spoerl, 53, of the 24700 block of West Townline Road, was arrested Monday and subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and three counts of child pornography, according to the Lake County sheriff's office.

An investigation by detectives found Spoerl met a girl on the social media application "Whisper," where he began a conversation with her, the sheriff's office said. Police said Spoerl made arrangements with the girl online, picked her up near her home and took her to a hotel in Waukegan and engaged in sexual conduct.

According to the sheriff's office, investigators found explicit images of the girl on Spoerl's cell phone.

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said children are more connected with technology than ever before. That means parents need to stay alert.

“It is essential parents monitor all social media applications on your children’s electronic devices," Curran said, announcing the charges. "Online predators use these applications to prowl on children.”

Spoerl was being held at Lake County Jail on a $1 million bond ahead of a Friday morning court appearance, the sheriff's office said.

The Lake County Sheriff asked anyone with information about Spoerlto call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 847-377-4250.

Top photo: Booking photograph of Steve W. Spoerl | Office of the Lake County Sheriff