Orland Park Man Offered Money to Boy In Exchange for Sexual Favors: Prosecutor

ORLAND PARK, IL -- An Orland Park man is charged with sexually abusing a boy for a period of four years beginning when the child was in the sixth grade. Prosecutors said that 26-year-old Robert Favorite badgered and abused the boy, offering him money in exchange for sex acts. The case has been under investigation since April, when a witness and the child, now 18, reported the alleged abuse to Orland Park Police.

Favorite appeared Wednesday before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Favorite was reportedly a friend of the boy’s family. Between September 2010 and February 2014, the prosecutor said that Favorite began offering the boy money in exchange for sexual favors. The alleged abuse happened on at least eight different occasions from the time the boy was 12 years old until he was 17.

The prosecutor said Favorite badgered the boy continuously until he acquiesced. Favorite allegedly offered the boy sums of money ranging from $100 to $500 in exchange for sexual favors. In most instances the boy was never paid. Favorite was five years older than the boy, and began abusing the boy when Favorite was approximately 17 years old, according to the allegations.

Favorite allegedly admitted to Orland Park police that he was aware the boy was under 18 during the times of the reported abuse. Orland Park police said in a news release that they are not releasing the address where the abuse occurred to protect the boy’s privacy.

Police took Favorite into custody on July 25 at his apartment building in the 15100 block of Orlan Brook Drive. The assistant public defender told the judge that Favorite is married. Favorite indicates on his Facebook page that he is a driver for Uber and Lyft. He has no prior criminal background. Favorite is charged with a Class 2 felony, which is probational if convicted.

“The only good thing is that he didn’t force himself on the child but nevertheless it was a child,” Judge Felice said.

Given the time that has lapsed, the judge set bail at $100,000. Favorite was ordered to surrender his FOID and conceal-carry permits, and firearms, in any, to the Orland Park police. He is also to stay outside the 500-feet range of parks and schools, and to have no contact with his accuser.

Favorite is due back in court Aug. 21 in Bridgeview.