Counselor for troubled children charged with soliciting 13-year-old

December 10, 2010

A Plainfield man who counsels troubled children for the Will County Health Department and works as a high school sports coach and referee was arrested Monday for allegedly trying to arrange a sexual tryst with a 13-year-old girl.

About 9 p.m. Monday, Crete police arrested John K. Martynus, 39, of Scarlett Oak Drive in Plainfield, following an undercover investigation in which Martynus believed he was communicating online with a 13-year-old girl for the purpose of engaging in a sexual relationship, according to a release from police.

He was charged with indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor, and grooming — using the Internet to lure a child for sex.

Martynus is employed by the Will County Health Department as a mental health counselor who works with troubled children, and also works as a coach and referee for the Illinois High School Association, the release said.

He allegedly drove his vehicle to a fast food restaurant, where he contacted the undercover officer via his smart phone and asked to meet to have sex, the release said.

Martynus had just finished refereeing a basketball game in Beecher and was insistent on meeting the girl Monday evening.

A surveillance operation was initiated and Martynus was observed awaiting the arrival of the girl and exchanging text messages with her from his vehicle.

He was arrested without incident, and his vehicle and smart phone were seized, the release said. He allegedly confessed to initiating the meeting in an attempt to have consensual sex with the girl.

Source: "Youth counselor charged with soliciting 13-year-old," Sun-Times, December 7, 2010.