JOLIET, IL – The Will County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit arrest a sex offender Friday on multiple charges after an extensive investigation dating back to late March.
According to Sheriff’s police reports, Mario S. Rubio, a 32-year-old registered sex offender residing in Joliet, was arrested after an intensive two-month investigation.
Rubio is now facing multiple alleged charges, including indecent solicitation of a child, grooming/luring a child to commit sexual conduct, and traveling to meet a child. Authorities initiated the investigation after receiving crucial information from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) that Rubio, already on parole for a prior predatory criminal sexual assault, was allegedly utilizing Facebook messages to communicate with a 15-year-old girl.
Sheriff’s police go on to report after a meticulous two-month-long probe confirmed that the victim had engaged in previous sexual encounters with Rubio, who subsequently was apprehended during a routine traffic stop at the intersection of Spruce Split Drive and Chicago Street in Joliet.
Rubio will also be charged with a parole violation in accordance with the IDOC’s findings.
This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with online platforms, especially when it involves the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Law enforcement officials urge parents and guardians to maintain a close watch over their children’s online activities and engage in open discussions about online safety.
Rubio is now in custody awaiting a bond hearing.
