Police Discover Convicted Sex Offender Allegedly Grooming Missing Child at His Residence

A convicted sex offender from Illinois is now facing a series of serious charges after being accused of grooming a missing child from Massachusetts. 

Weston Opas, 42, was arraigned on multiple felonies, shedding light on a deeply troubling incident in his home.

Opas, a registered sex offender in Illinois, appeared in court on Tuesday to face charges that include traveling to meet a minor, grooming, firearm possession by a felon with body armor, and failure to register as a sex offender. 

The allegations stem from a collaborative effort between Boston investigators and Cook County detectives, ultimately leading them to Opas’ residence in Glenview, located in the 10300 block of Michael Todd Terrace, on October 26.

Investigations revealed that Opas had initiated contact with the missing child via an online gaming app over a year ago, maintaining communication through text messages. 

He reportedly made several trips to the Boston area to meet with the victim and engage in sexual acts, all of which have raised deep concerns about the child’s safety and well-being.

Phone evidence confirmed that Opas was fully aware of the victim’s underage status. According to CBS News, the victim is a 16-year-old girl who had been living with Opas. 

Court records further revealed that Opas had a previous conviction in Florida in 2004 for possessing child pornography, raising serious questions about the efficacy of the criminal justice system.

Thankfully, the missing child has been temporarily placed with social services while awaiting her Chicago-based relatives to take custody. 

In the meantime, Opas remains incarcerated without bail at the Cook County jail, pending a court hearing scheduled for November 7.

This distressing case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the continued efforts required to protect them from potential threats, especially from convicted offenders. 

It also highlights the critical role of collaborative law enforcement efforts in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.