Man charged with soliciting 14-year-old girl online

WHEELING, Illinois -- A northwest suburban man charged with trying to solicit sexual acts from a 14-year-old girl through social media told authorities he thought she was 15, according to police.

Ulises Cabrera, 27, began communicating with the girl through social media in August, according to a statement from Wheeling police. He asked her how old she was and discussed sexual acts he wanted to engage in with her.

Cabrera met the girl in September and "indicated that he wanted to engage in specific sexual acts" with her, police said. The girl's mother later learned about the relationship and contacted Wheeling police.

Cabrera was arrested Thursday, police said. He told detectives he thought the girl was 15 and admitted contacting her to have sex with her.

Cabrera, of the 500 block of Piper Lane in Prospect Heights, is charged with one felony count each of indecent solicitation of a child and grooming, police said.

He was ordered held on a $150,000 bond Friday, and his next court date is scheduled for Oct. 9, according to police.