Detectives said the man drove from Norcross to Illinois after communicating with a girl under 14.
GURNEE, IL — Lake County sheriff’s detectives rescued a missing girl under 14 on Saturday after investigators said a Georgia man drove to Illinois to meet her and was found with her in a vehicle near Libertyville.
The case moved into court Sunday after authorities charged Jordy Alexis Fuerte Perez, 24, of Norcross, Georgia, with two counts of solicitation of child pornography and one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office planned to seek his detention while the case proceeds. Sheriff’s officials said more charges are likely as detectives continue to review evidence gathered during the search.
Deputies were called about 4:40 a.m. Saturday to an address in unincorporated Gurnee for a report that the girl was missing. Sheriff’s officials said responding deputies learned she had never run away before and that her disappearance in the middle of the night raised immediate concern. Detectives from the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division went to the home and began an urgent search. They found the girl’s cellphone was not working and that investigators could not use her electronics to locate her. Sheriff John D. Idleburg said the case was “a parent’s worst nightmare” and said detectives worked from the time the girl was reported missing until she was found safe.
Investigators said they learned Fuerte Perez had been communicating with the girl before she disappeared. Detectives determined he had made plans to drive from Georgia to pick her up, according to the sheriff’s office. Based on evidence found during the investigation, authorities said it appeared Fuerte Perez told the girl he wanted a “romantic relationship” with her. Officials did not release the girl’s name, hometown or exact age, citing her status as a child victim. They also did not say how long the two had been communicating or what platform or device was used. Those details remained part of the continuing investigation.
Detectives developed information about a vehicle Fuerte Perez may have been driving and used public safety camera technology to track it, the sheriff’s office said. The vehicle was located at Independence Grove Forest Preserve near Libertyville, about 15 miles from the unincorporated Gurnee area where the search began. Around 6 p.m. Saturday, detectives found the child and Fuerte Perez inside the vehicle in a parking lot. The girl did not appear to have physical injuries, authorities said, but she was taken to the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center for specialized care, attention and advocacy after the rescue.
Fuerte Perez was taken to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division after the girl was found. Prosecutors later approved two Class X felony counts of solicitation of child pornography and one Class 4 felony count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance. The sheriff’s office identified the controlled substance as cocaine. In Illinois, a Class X felony is among the most serious felony levels below first-degree murder. Authorities said the charges announced Sunday were not expected to be the final step in the case, and they said additional charges are likely as investigators complete reports and review evidence.
Fuerte Perez appeared in Lake County court Sunday and was ordered held for a detention hearing set for Monday afternoon, according to local court reporting. The State’s Attorney’s Office said it intended to ask that he remain in custody while awaiting trial. Court proceedings are expected to focus first on detention, probable cause and the status of any added charges. Authorities did not announce whether Fuerte Perez had an attorney. As in all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The search unfolded across much of Saturday, beginning before dawn and ending about 13 hours later at the forest preserve. Independence Grove is a public recreation area near Libertyville with parking areas, trails and open space. Sheriff’s officials did not say how long the vehicle had been parked there before detectives arrived. Idleburg said he was grateful the girl was found physically OK and praised those involved in the search. “I am proud of everyone who played a role in rescuing this young girl and bringing the offender to the first steps of justice,” he said.
As of Monday, the girl was no longer with Fuerte Perez and had been referred for child advocacy services. The next scheduled milestone in the case was the detention hearing in Lake County court on Monday afternoon.
Author note: Last updated June 22, 2026.