Man Accused of Trading Naked Pics, Having Sex With Underage Girl in Countryside

HODGKINS, IL -- A Chicago man is charged with soliciting illicit photos and having sex with an underage girl a from Hodgkins, prosecutors said Wednesday in court.

Justin Kremnitzer, 22, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on charges of possession of child pornography, soliciting child pornography and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The sexual abuse is alleged to have taken place in Countryside, Brookfield and Hodgkins.

The prosecutor said between July and October, Kremnitzer was a friend of the 15-year-old girl’s family member. Kremnitzer and the girl struck up a relationship on Facebook. The two began texting and talking on the phone, then progressed to going out.

Kremnitzer and the girl began going out, where they allegedly discussed their four-year age difference. The prosecutor said that Kremnitzer knew when the girl would turn 16 in August. He also showed the girl an article in a European magazine about a 40-year-old man dating a 14-year-old girl. Two joked that they were at least “in the same generation.” according to the charges.

Sometime in July or August had sexual intercourse for the first time at her mother’s “paramour’s” house, the prosecutor said. The two are said to have engaged in sexual intercourse one more time.

The prosecutor said that after girl’s sixteenth birthday in August, the two began seeing each other regularly. Kremnitzer and the girl are said to have had sexual relations usually in a parked car behind a strip mall in Countryside.

In October, the girl asked Kremnitzer to send her a picture of his penis. Kremnitzer took the photo with his phone and texted her, the prosecutor. He then asked to take a pictures of the girl’s vagina, covered and exposed, according to the charges.

That same month, a family member, suspecting the relationship, snuck up on the two when they were cuddling on the sofa at the girl’s mother’s trailer in Hodgkins. According to the allegations, Kremnitzer was fully clothed, but the girl was dressed only in a sweatshirt and underwear.

The next morning, the prosecutor said Kremnitzer and the girl were found sharing a bed in the trailer fully clothed.

This past week, the prosecutor said the photo of Kremnitzer’s penis was found on the girl’s phone. Kremnitzer allegedly admitted to Hodgkins police that the photo was of himself. The detective obtained a search warrant of Kremnitzer’s and the girl’s phones. The prosecutor said the photos of the girl’s vagina were found on Kremnitzer’s phone, which she admitted were of her.

Kremnitzer was arrested and charged on Nov. 29. The prosecutor said he has no prior criminal background.

“What I find troublesome is that he knew the victim’s age,” Judge Felice said. “The victim is not old enough to consent.”

Bail was set at $200,000 and electronic home monitoring should Kremnitzer bond out.. Kremnitzer was also ordered not to contact the girl or her family, or be with children under age 18. Kremnitzer’s next hearing is Dec. 23 in Bridgeview.