Darien man arrested on grooming charges after online contact with ‘underage girl,’ authorities say – Chicago Tribune

A Darien man, who police said had previously worked as a camp counselor and substitute teacher, has been arrested on grooming charges by Lake County authorities.

An investigation by the Lake County sheriff’s office’s Special Investigations Division and the Naval Criminal Investigative Services resulted in the Thursday arrest of James R. Wood, 35, of the 7500 block of Farmingdale Drive.

Wood was taken into custody at his place of employment in Naperville, the sheriff’s office said.

Police said an undercover officer posing as a girl under the age of 15 was contacted online by Wood in June. Once Wood learned of the age of the “girl,” he requested nude photos of her and sent a nude picture of himself, according to police.

He also engaged in sexual discussions and said he planned to travel to Lake County for a sexual encounter, the sheriff’s office said. However, he never made the trip; police said he was busy after starting a new job.

The investigation into Wood is continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact their local police. Wood was being held in the Lake County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

“We cannot stress this enough — please do not let your children communicate on social media applications with anyone, unless you as their parent or guardian have personally verified it is someone they know,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “Predators use every day social media applications to prey on children of all ages from all communities.”

Wood is due back in court July 26.