(Lake County, IL) Today, Andrew Szech, 43, agreed to the State’s Petition To Detain while his case is pending in the Circuit Court of Lake County. Szech is being charged with the following: 

• Three Counts of Criminal Sexual Abuse (class 1 felonies) 
• Unlawful Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms with Intent to Deliver (class 1 felony) 
• Unlawful Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver (class 1 felony) 
• Unlawful Possession of Cannabis (class 2 felony) 
• Unlawful Possession of Adderall with Intent to Deliver (class 2 felony) 
• Aggravated Battery (class 3 felony) 
• Unlawful Possession of Cannabis Plants (class 3 felony) 
• Two Counts of Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (class 4 felonies) 
• Reckless Conduct (class A misdemeanor) 
• Aggravated Assault (class A misdemeanor) 

On June 24, 2024, Szech was arrested after members of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, and Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group conducted an investigation that produced evidence that a missing underage girl from North Carolina was staying at 1000 block of Prairie Ridge Road, Green Oaks. 

At the time of the arrest, Szech was out on bond after he posted $30,000 for a June 2023 weapon case that is now detainable under the SAFE-T Act.  

Following the detention hearing, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart stated: 

“First, we are satisfied with the fact that this defendant will be detained. Second, we are supporting the victim in every way possible with local and national resources. Third, I want to thank the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and federal authorities for their thorough investigation. Under the SAFE-T act, our prosecutors are now able to seek detention, which, if granted, should keep the defendant in custody the entire time the case is pending. Because of today’s order, he will be unable to use any cash whatsoever to be released. Our Special Victims’ Unit and victim support specialists will hold this offender accountable, further isolate him from the community, and support the victim in the short term and long term.”

State’s Attorney Rinehart provided further comment on the new detention system: 

“In July 2023, before the effective date of the SAFE-T Act, this offender posted $30,000 on a weapon case – that is now detainable under the SAFE-T Act. After posting cash in 2023, he has been charged with incredibly serious sex cases and a second weapon offense. The cash system has always allowed dangerous offenders to use cash to obtain release and then harm others. Sadly, that risk became a reality here.” 

Szech is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on August 20, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.