Chicago man found guilty of paying for sex with child

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — A Chicago man was convicted Wednesday of traveling to Aurora, Illinois, and paying to have a sexual encounter with a child.

This conviction resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Aurora Police Department's Special Operations Group.

Marek P. Gacierz, 34, of Chicago, was convicted June 22 in Kane County by Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr., of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, and grooming. Gacierz waived his right to a jury trial.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that on Jan. 8, 2015, Gacierz traveled from Chicago to an Aurora hotel with the intent to pay to have sex with whom he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. When Gacierz arrived at the hotel, he met a person he thought was the girl's mother, confirmed that he wanted sexual favors, and paid the person $150. He was subsequently arrested by HSI special agents and Aurora Police Department officers.

Judge Tegeler set Gacierz's next court appearance for Aug. 26 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing. Gacierz faces a minimum sentence of six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In addition to the prison term, Gacierz must also register as a sexual offender for 10 years in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.

Gacierz had been free on $12,500 bond, which was revoked upon his conviction, and he was taken into custody.

This case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Christine Bayer and Kane County First Assistant State's Attorney Jody Gleason.

"This conviction is a step toward ending human trafficking, and specifically child sex trafficking," said Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon. "These unconscionable crimes take place across the Chicago suburbs much more often than the general public could possibly know. Law enforcement nationwide, at all levels, is committed to ending the exploitation of children."

This investigation was conducted under HSI's Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.