Thornton Man Charged With Misconduct With Minor
On Saturday, June 1st, 2024 the Cedar Lake Police Department was contacted by Lowell Police regarding a 14-year-old who initially was reported as a runaway in their jurisdiction, according to a Cedar Lake Police press release.
Once the 14-year-old returned home it was determined she had been meeting with a 47-year-old man through the internet. The 47-year-old man took her to the Economy Inn in Cedar Lake where he performed sexual acts with the 14-year-old. In addition, the 14-year-old was provided with drugs and alcohol.
Cedar Lake Police went to Economy Inn and determined the room in which the 47-year-old was staying and also found his vehicle parked in the lot, which was described by the 14-year-old. Contact was made with the man, Susano Avila Jr, age 47 from Thornton, Illinois and previously of Hammond.
Susano Avila was taken into custody and after his arrest made statements to police about the 14-year-old, who he believed to be 19 years old, who he connected with over the internet. It was also determined this was the second time Avila had brought the 14-year-old to Economy Inn and performed sexual acts with her.
Susano Avila was lodged in the Lake County Jail and today police secured the following charges.
Three counts of Sexual Misconduct with a Minor (level 4 felony)
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (class A misdemeanor).
The investigation remains open and additional charges are expected.
