Police: Gurnee man tried to meet teen for sex

A 35-year-old Gurnee man was charged with four counts of indecent solicitation of a child after arranging to have sex with what he thought was a teenage girl he met on Craigslist, authorities said Wednesday.

Todd Thompson, 35, of the 16000 Block of Washington Street, posted an advertisement on the website for a companion, but began communications June 9 with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl, Lake County Sheriff’s Police Sgt. Sara Balmes said.

The girl turned out to be a sheriff’s detective, who later arranged to meet with Thompson on July 16 for sex, Balmes said. Thompson was arrested when he went to the meeting.

Thompson told detectives his intentions were to meet with the girl to engage in sex, Balmes said. He also admitted he has used Craigslist to meet with approximately six women — all presumably over the age of 18 — for sex.

Thompson’s jail bond was set at $100,000 and is scheduled to appear in court July 19.