St. Charles man arrested on felony solicitation of a child, other charges in NaAuSay Township

A St. Charles man has been arrested in connection with what the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office says was an attempt to arrange sex with a juvenile in unincorporated NaAuSay Township, south of Oswego.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s office has charged Ryan A. Pearce, 27, of the 1900 block of McThurstan Court, with traveling to meet a child, a Class 3 felony; indecent solicitation of a child, a Class 3 felony, and grooming, a Class 4 felony.

Pearce also has been charged with sexual exploitation of a child, a Class A misdemeanor, and distributing harmful material to a minor, a Class A misdemeanor.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation that led to Pearce’s arrest began Nov. 30 when deputies took an initial report of a 27-year-old male subject allegedly sending inappropriate images to a 16-year-old juvenile acquaintance at an NaAuSay Township address.

Sheriff’s deputies along with personnel from the Kendall County Cooperative Police Assistance Team and Special Response team took Pearce into custody without incident Dec. 22 at the alleged meeting place.

Pearce was transported to the Kendall County jail in Yorkville His bond hearing was Dec. 24.

“The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is committed to a proactive approach in keeping the children of our community safe,” said Sheriff Dwight Baird in the statement. “This case illustrates the importance of parents having an open line of communication with their children, and working in tandem with law enforcement professionals.”