According to law enforcement officials, a former youth volleyball coach in McHenry County, Illinois, was detained on Wednesday for allegedly trying to meet a minor under the age of 14 for sex.
The Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) and the Special Investigations Group of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office conducted a multi-week investigation that resulted in the arrest of Philip S. Bromley, 44, of McHenry.
Police assert that during the inquiry, Bromley spoke with an undercover detective posing as a little girl online.
According to police, Bromley persuaded the “child” to meet with him so they could engage in sexual activity.
On July 19, he intended to meet the girl in Lake County.
But when he got there, detectives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Group were waiting for him.
After reviewing the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed felony charges against Bromley for grooming, travelling to meet a juvenile and indecent solicitation of a minor.
After a court appearance on Thursday, Bromley was held on a $500,000 bond after being taken into custody on Wednesday at the Lake County Jail.
“Our Special Investigations Group apprehended another man who used social media to prey on our most vulnerable,” Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. “We continue to stress the importance to parents and guardians – be vigilant and monitor who your children are talking to on social media. Predators commonly use these applications to entice children.”
