Man arrested for alleged grooming of Braidwood teen

An Elgin man is in the Will County Adult Detention facility this week after an arrest in Braidwood on charges of grooming a minor and other alleged sexual offenses.

At 12:26 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22, while conducting a business check, an officer with the BPD observed a suspicious vehicle with two occupants.

According to the police report, after making contact with the vehicle, the officer conducted a brief investigation.

Police said that through the course of that investigation, the officer learned that the driver, 21-year-old Alexander Carachure of Elgin, had traveled to Braidwood to meet with a female resident who he knew to be 14 years old.

During the follow up investigation, police said they discovered that Carachure and the teen had been communicating via social media.

The Braidwood Police Department worked closely with the Will County State’s Attorney’s office to obtain three search warrants, which were then executed.

According to the report, during an interview with investigators Carachure made statements implicating himself in the alleged crimes.

The BPD reported that the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center also assisted with the investigation efforts.

Carachure is charged with traveling to meet a minor, grooming, and criminal sexual abuse.

Traveling to meet a minor, a class 3 felony, carries a penalty of five to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Grooming and Criminal sexual abuse, both Class 4 felonies, each carry a penalty of one to three years in prison if convicted.

Carachure is currently being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility on $100,000 bond.

Editor’s note — Persons listed in this police report are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.