Round Lake man pleads not guilty to child sex soliciting charges
A Round Lake man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he solicited a 9-year-old girl for sex.
Devan Bald, 18, faces 4 to 15 years in prison if he's found guilty on all four counts of indecent solicitation of child when his case goes to trial Sept. 8, Lake County Judge Christopher Stride said.
Bald remains free from Lake County jail after posting the required 10 percent of his $200,000 bail after his June 6 arrest.
Authorities said a sexual conversation between Bald and a 9-year-old girl on Facebook was discovered by the girl's father, who turned over the information to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
A detective with cybercrimes unit posed as the victim to set up a meeting with Bald, who was arrested when he arrived at the meeting location, authorities said.
During an interview after his arrest, Bald told detectives his intentions were to meet the girl to engage in sexual activities, authorities said.
Defense attorney Richard Leng asked Stride to alter Bald's bond so he could be granted Internet access for homework he would need while attending the College of Lake County in the fall. Leng also requested permission for a later curfew because Bald intends to play on the CLC basketball team this winter.
Prosecutors objected to the bond change. A hearing on the requests is scheduled for Aug. 21.