Georgia man charged with luring Lake County girl

Lake County authorities arrested a 24-year-old Georgia man Saturday at a forest preserve near Libertyville after he allegedly traveled to meet with a girl who ran away from home.

Jordy Alexis Fuerte Perez, of Norcross, Georgia, is charged with solicitation of child pornography and unlawful possession of cocaine, both felonies. Additional charges are likely, authorities said.

Fuerte Perez appeared in court Sunday in Lake County. He was ordered detained for a detention hearing, which will take place Monday afternoon.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at a home in an unincorporated area near Gurnee at about 4:40 a.m. Saturday for a report of a missing girl under the age of 14. The girl, who had never run away before, disappeared in the middle of the night, deputies said.

Sheriff’s detectives found the girl’s nonfunctioning cellphone and also discovered Perez had been communicating with her, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives determined Fuerte Perez made plans to drive from George to pick her up.

Sheriff’s detectives used public safety camera technology to locate Fuerte Perez’s vehicle at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville.

The girl and Fuerte Perez were inside the vehicle in a parking lot around 6 p.m., the sheriff’s office said. She did not appear to be physically injured, the office said, but she was taken to the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center to receive additional care.

“This type of case is a parent’s worst nightmare. Our Criminal Investigations Division took this case seriously and worked tirelessly from the moment the girl was reported missing until she was safely located,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. “While there will undoubtedly be a long road to recovery and healing, I am grateful the victim was found safe and is physically OK.”