Man charged with sexually assaulting teen girl in Lake County motel

A 22-year-old Chicago man faces felony charges for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a Fremont Township motel, Lake County sheriff's police said in a news release Thursday.

Vincent A. Dunson Jr., of the 3200 block of West Thomas Street, was charged with three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and traveling to meet a minor. He remains held in the Lake County jail on $200,000 bail.

Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 34000 block of North Jenna Lane in Warren Township at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a missing juvenile. Deputies located the missing girl at a motel on the 31200 block of North Route 45, according to the release.

Further investigation revealed she was at the motel with Dunson. Detectives determined Dunson picked up the girl from her house and drove her to the motel, where he sexually assaulted her, authorities said.

The girl was taken to a hospital for evaluation and reunited with her family.

"Preying on our most vulnerable is one of the most horrific acts one could do. I am thankful our highway patrol deputies located her so quickly and our detectives conducted extensive follow-up to determine what occurred," Sheriff John Idleburg said in the release.

Sgt. Christopher Covelli said Dunson and the girl met on a social media dating app.

Dunson next due back in court April 11.

• Daily Herald staff writer Lee Filas contributed to this report.