Counselor Charged With Soliciting Young Girl
CRETE, Ill. (CBS) -- A man whose job was to counsel troubled children, and who also worked as a high school sports coach, now stands charged with trying to arrange a sexual tryst with a 13-year-old girl.
And investigators' biggest fear is that he may have had inappropriate contact with as many as 10 minors.
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The arrest of John Martynus, 39, of Plainfield was at a fast food restaurant in Crete - the place where authorities say he had arranged by text to meet a 13-year-old girl. He was actually texting with two male undercover officers.
Crete Police Chief James Paoletti says Martynus works for Will County as a youth mental health counselor and is also an Illinois High School Association coach and referee. He had just finished refereeing a basketball game in Beecher and was insistent on meeting the girl Monday evening.
"I can tell you that the investigation is continuing and that there is some perception that there may be some victims out there," said Paoletti.
When Paoletti was pressed for a number, he replied, "As many as ten."
A Will County State's Attorney's office spokesman says Martynus is being held on probable cause and is expected to be formally charged on Wednesday with indecent solicitation of a child.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
