Missouri man denies trying to meet Lake Co. girl for sex

A Missouri man who police said collected lewd pictures of a 13-year-old Lake County girl, then drove more than 500 miles twice in three days to have sex with her pleaded not guilty Thursday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Patrick Tullis, 19, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of possession of child pornography and solicitation of a minor.

Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy said Tullis, of Independence, Mo., became acquainted with a 13-year-old Winthrop Harbor girl through Facebook messages they exchanged.

At Tullis' request, Foy said, the girl e-mailed him lewd pictures of herself on Nov. 28, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The two exchanged messages discussing getting together for sex, Foy said, and Tullis drove to Winthrop Harbor on Dec. 5 and had the girl meet him at a motel.

The girl left the motel before anything happened between the two, Foy said, and Tullis returned to Missouri.

The girl's mother found some of the messages the two had exchanged and called police, who immediately contacted Tullis via e-mail posing as the girl.

The police convinced Tullis to return to Lake County and were waiting for him at the motel when he checked in Dec. 7, Foy said.

Tullis is due to appear in court Jan. 27.