Man Arrested After Attempted Solicitation Of Girl, 14: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 41-year-old Mundelein man has been arrested and charged after allegedly attempting to solicit a sexual act from a 14-year-old girl in unincorporated Mundelein, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the 26300 block of North Diamond Lake Road on Friday after receiving a report of inappropriate contact involving a minor, according to authorities.

The girls told police she was standing outside her home when a pickup truck stopped nearby, and the driver, who was described as a man in his 40s, asked if she was 13 or 14 years old and then requested she help him with something before asking her to engage in a sexual act with him, police said.

The girl left the area, went home and immediately told her parents, who contacted law enforcement, according to the news release.

Sheriff’s deputies responded and interviewed the victim before gathering information from neighbors. They later obtained video doorbell footage showing a pickup truck matching the description provided, police said.

Additional tips led deputies to the 300 block of Shady Lane in Mundelein, where a similar vehicle was located parked outside a residence. Deputies identified the driver as Homero Sotero-Ocampo, 41, of Mundelein, according to authorities.

The girl positively identified Sotero-Ocampo as the pick-up driver, police said.

Sotero-Ocampo was taken into custody and has been charged with indecent solicitation of a minor, which is a Class 3 felony.

“This young victim showed tremendous awareness,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said. “She recognized something was wrong, removed herself from the situation, and told her parents immediately. Her actions, combined with the exceptional work of our deputies and detectives, led to the swift arrest of a dangerous offender.”

Sotero-Ocampo is being held at the Lake County Jail pending an initial court appearance. Prosecutors said they intend to seek pretrial detention.

Lake County Sheriff Chief Christopher Covelli said the sheriff's office is not aware of any other similar crimes involving Sotero-Ocampo. And no other similar crimes occurred in the area prior to the reported incident.