Vernon Hills man charged with sex assault of teen

A 21-year-old Vernon Hills man was in custody at the Lake County jail Thursday on multiple felony charges alleging he sexually assaulted a teenage girl Tuesday after meeting her through Facebook, police said.

Blake A. Kraiman, of the 200 block of Thorne Grove Drive, is charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse stemming from an investigation launched early Tuesday morning when a patrol officer came upon a crying 17-year-old girl at the corner of Butterfield Road and Route 60.

Police said investigators working closely with officials from the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center learned that after communicating with Kraiman over Facebook, the girl was picked up by him at her residence late June 28 and driven to his home. Police said Kraiman and the girl consumed alcohol there together before the assault took place.

Police said the girl then went into a bathroom and texted a friend to pick her up.

"Regardless of anyone's age, this incident underscores the serious dangers of corresponding with strangers via social media," Vernon Hills Police Chief Mark Fleischhauer said in an announcement of the arrest. "We strongly encourage all parents to discuss this topic with their children and monitor their children's online activity as much as possible."

Kraiman, who appeared in bond court Thursday, is scheduled to return to court July 14. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault.