Former Antioch firefighter charged with sexual abuse

A 40-year-old former employee of the Antioch Fire Department has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, officials from the Lake County sheriff’s office said Thursday.

Matthew Bilecki, of the 43000 block of Mary Avenue in Antioch, is also facing charges of criminal sexual assault and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon following his arrest at 2 p.m. Thursday, said Chief Wayne Hunter.

Bilecki is currently being held in Lake County jail and is due to appear in bond court early Friday morning.

Antioch Fire Chief John Nixon said Bilecki has not been employed by the fire department in more than five years. He would not comment further about the charges.

Hunter said Bilecki approached the victim and her mother in June of 2012 and said he’d like to photograph the victim, as well as introduce the victim to photographers for a future modeling career.

After the discussion, Bilecki took the girl back to his home, got her intoxicated on alcohol, then had sex with her, Hunter said.

The girl eventually told her mother what happened, Hunter said, and the police were called.

During the investigation, Hunter said Bilecki admitted to giving the girl alcohol but denied having sex with her.

Police conducted a search warrant at Bilecki’s home Thursday afternoon and arrested the former firefighter.

Police also uncovered a loaded handgun at Bilecki’s residence, Hunter said. He said Bilecki, a felon, is not allowed to possess a handgun.