Chicago registered sex offender nabbed in sting set up by Downers Grove police: prosecutors

A motion was granted Friday to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago registered sex offender accused of soliciting and attempting to meet whom he thought was a 13-year-old girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts, prosecutors said.

Derrick Willman, 58, of the 100 block of N. Clark Street, appeared is charged with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child-aggravated criminal sexual abuse, traveling to meet a minor, child sex offender – communicate through the internet and one grooming, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office news release.

Downers Grove police, posing as “Melissa,” a 13-year-old girl in a teen online chatroom, were allegedly contacted by an individual with a username of “ChiGuy”, later determined to be Willman. “Melissa” told allegedly told Willman that she was in eighth grade but despite that, Willman said he wanted to meet her, according to the release.

Willman allegedly sent “Melissa” messages of a sexual nature. After he sent a photo of himself, authorities learned that he is required to register as a sexual predator for life arising from a 2023 Minnesota felony case of soliciting a child in person or via computer or internet, authorities said.Authorities also learned that Willman is currently serving a five-year term of probation in this case.

The pair arranged to meet on Jan. 2. About 6:10 p.m. on Jan. 2, Willman arrived in the parking lot of a Downers Grove hotel where the two had planned to meet. Willman did not go into the hotel and left the parking lot approximately one hour later. Downers Grove police conducted a traffic stop at which time Willman was taken into custody, according to the release.

“Undoubtedly, the Internet has become an easily accessible necessity and a part of the everyday lives of millions of people,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in the release. “Unfortunately, this convenience and society’s reliance on the Internet comes with a price. While this case did not involve a 13-year-old girl, it serves as a reminder to us all how easy it can be for predators, as alleged in this case, to reach our children without their parents’ knowledge.”

“I would like to thank our team of investigators for their ongoing efforts to proactively identify and investigate internet crimes against children,” Downers Grove Chief of Police Michael DeVries said in the release. “Their diligence over several months resulted in the arrest of a registered sex offender who believed he was soliciting a sexual act from a minor and traveled to Downers Grove in an attempt to do so.”

Willman’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.