Gurnee man admits sex with girl; faces up to 40 years in prison

A Gurnee man is facing up to 40 years in prison after admitting Tuesday he had sex with a 12-year-old girl.

Griffin Savard, 34, was arrested Sept. 11 after he voluntarily walked into the Gurnee police station and confessed to the crime.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Eric Kalata said Savard, of the 4000 block of Bitternut Lane, told police he had sex with the girl between June 1 and July 31 of last year.

Police located the girl and interviewed her at the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center where she confirmed what Savard had told police.

Savard pleaded guilty to a single count of predatory sexual assault of a child during a hearing before Circuit Judge James Booras.

The offense normally carries a sentencing range of six to 60 years in prison, but Kalata agreed to limit Savard’s exposure to 40 years in exchange for the guilty plea.

Booras scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 6 and said Savard would continue to be held on $1 million bail until that date.