Lake County Gazette

Andrew Szech, 43, has agreed to the State’s Petition To Detain while his case is pending in the Circuit Court of Lake County. Szech faces multiple charges, including three counts of criminal sexual abuse (class 1 felonies), unlawful possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to deliver (class 1 felony), and various other drug and firearm-related offenses.

On June 24, 2024, Szech was arrested after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, and the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group. The investigation revealed that a missing underage girl from North Carolina was staying at a residence on Prairie Ridge Road in Green Oaks.

At the time of his arrest, Szech was out on bond after posting $30,000 for a June 2023 weapon case now detainable under the SAFE-T Act.

Following the detention hearing, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart commented: “First, we are satisfied with the fact that this defendant will be detained. Second, we are supporting the victim in every way possible with local and national resources. Third, I want to thank the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, and federal authorities for their thorough investigation. Under the SAFE-T act, our prosecutors are now able to seek detention, which if granted should keep the defendant in custody the entire time the case is pending. Because of today’s order he will be unable to use any cash whatsoever to be released. Our Special Victims’ Unit and victim support specialists will hold this offender accountable further isolate him from the community and support the victim in both short term and long term.”

Rinehart also addressed concerns regarding the new detention system: “In July 2023 before the effective date of the SAFE-T Act this offender posted $30,000 on a weapon case – that is now detainable under the SAFE-T Act. After posting cash in 2023 he has been charged with incredibly serious sex cases and a second weapon offense. The cash system has always allowed dangerous offenders to use cash to obtain release and then harm others. Sadly that risk became a reality here.”

Szech's preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 20, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.