Former Schaumburg village employee charged in downstate predator sting

A village of Schaumburg employee and resident resigned last Thursday after being arrested in an operation conducted by the downstate Woodford County Sheriff’s Office Proactive Unit’s Predator Apprehension Team.

Brian Rafferty, 41, who had been the Schaumburg’s Fleet Division Manager for the past nine years, is accused of traveling to Germantown Hills — about 8 miles northeast of Peoria — to meet who he believed was a 15-year-old girl, according to the sheriff’s office.

He was, in fact, communicating with law enforcement officers from Woodford County posing as a teen, authorities allege.

Following his arrest April 13, Rafferty was charged with indecent solicitation of a child and grooming, officials said. He was granted pretrial release and his next court hearing is scheduled for May 11 in Woodford County.

In a social media post, the sheriff’s office said Rafferty’s arrest had been the Predator Apprehension Team’s 20th in the past six months.

“Generally, these individuals are not from within Woodford County and we are doing everything we can to keep the citizens of our county safe!” the statement reads. “We would like to add a reminder to these predators trying to prey on teenage children. If you prey on our children, we will make you this promise: You will be arrested, we will seize your vehicle and we will not only find you temporary housing in our county jail but will work to get you permanent housing within the Illinois Department of Corrections Facilities.”