Mayor's son gets 30 days for soliciting minor

The son of Woodridge's longtime mayor was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail for trying to have sex with a 15-year-old girl he met on the Internet.

William F. Murphy, 33, of Schaumburg, also must register as a convicted sex offender, serve 30 months of probation and undergo counseling if deemed appropriate.

Murphy pleaded guilty last month to indecent solicitation of a child charges. DuPage Associate Judge Mark Dwyer ordered him to begin the jail stint Nov. 16.

Police arrested the Geneva attorney June 7, 2006, in a Winfield park where an undercover officer posing as the girl on the Internet agreed to meet him for sex. Authorities began talking to Murphy about two months earlier.

Murphy told them he believed the girl to be a 15-year-old Wheaton cheerleader.

Prosecutor Ken Tatarelis said Murphy initiated the graphic conversations, often asking questions about her sexual experience, whether she liked older men and describing sexual acts that they could do together if they met.

"The offenses took place during two months of chats in which he solicited her seven times," Tatarelis said.

The felony charge carried a possible prison term of up to five years. But in exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed not seek more than a 120-day jail term and 30 months of probation.

Defense attorney Joseph Laraia sought leniency. Murphy did not have a prior criminal history. His parents, including Woodridge Mayor Bill Murphy, testified that their son has never been in trouble before and would be a good candidate for probation. The defendant also apologized and said he never intended to follow through with the sexual tryst.

Though he is no longer practicing law, prosecutors said they will send a letter and certified copy of Murphy's conviction to the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.