Schaumburg police arrest Oswego man on sex abuse, child porn charges

A Cook County judge ordered a Oswego man held on $150,000 bail Wednesday as he awaits trial on allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old Northwest suburban girl he met over social media.

Schaumburg police arrested Andrew Payne, 42, of the 1300 block of Light Road, on charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and child pornography, both felonies, stemming from an investigation launched Saturday.

The investigation revealed that Payne had met the teen online last December via the social media app Whisper, according to police. The two frequently chatted online for several weeks before meeting in person for the first time in early February, police said.

In court Wednesday, a Cook County prosecutor said the girl told Payne she was 17 years old, and he told her he was 30. During their online conversations, the prosecutor said, the girl sent Payne nude photos of herself that were later recovered on his phone.

The relationship became physical this year when Payne drove to the girl's home to meet her, authorities say. They engaged in sexual activity on at least three occasions, according to police.

• Daily Herald Legal Affairs Writer Barbara Vitello contributed to this story