Joliet Sex Offender Arrested At Plato's Closet In Crest Hill

JOLIET, IL — A convicted Joliet sex offender who was not compliant with his strict registration obligations was arrested recently by Crest Hill Police after authorities say he improperly touched a minor at a Plainfield Road business. Last week's criminal complaint charges Mark Lacy with one count of aggravated battery and a subsequent charge of failure to register as a sex offender.

The first charge, aggravated battery, indicates the 57-year-old Lacy "knowingly made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with a minor ... on or about a public place of accommodation or amusement, namely Plato's Closet, located at 2372 Plainfield Road."

The charge reflects that Lacy "touched ... a minor about the body." Crest Hill Police responded to the incident and took Lacy away in handcuffs.

The second charge states that on Nov. 15, Lacy, who lives at 107 Coghill St., "knowingly failed to report in person to the Will County Sheriff's Department within three days of changing his address."

According to the Illinois State Police website, Lacy was convicted in Cook County of two counts of criminal sexual assault by force. Lacy was 27 and his victim was 48 at the time of the crime.

Lacy has remained in the custody of the Will County Jail since the night of the Plainfield Road incident, Dec. 6. His bail has been set at $250,000.