Hawthorn Woods man pleads not guilty to indecent solicitation charges

A Hawthorn Woods man accused of trying meet with a 14-year-old boy for sex pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent solicitation of a child in Lake County court Thursday.

Ryan Horn, 25, of the 0-100 block of Park View Lane, remains free from jail after posting the required 10 percent of his $100,000 bond. Horn faces two to five years in prison if convicted, defense attorney Kevin Malia said.

Horn is accused of posting an online ad seeking a companion May 2, authorities said.

The ad was answered by a detective in the Lake County Sheriff's Office Cybercrimes Unit, authorities said, but Horn thought he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy.

Horn arranged for and went to meet with the person he thought was the boy May 5, and was arrested by sheriff's detectives, authorities said.

Horn later confessed to detectives that his intentions were to meet with the 14-year-old to engage in sexual activities, authorities said.

Malia would not comment further on the case after the brief arraignment hearing in front of Judge James K. Booras. Horn is due back in court Sept. 18.