Eric Ziemba, 700 block of WIlmore Drive, Oswego

A 42-year-old Oswego man was recently convicted of trying to pay $150 in exchange for a sexual encounter with a child.

According to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, Eric Ziemba, 700 block of WIlmore Drive Oswego, faces a minimum of six years in prison after being convicted of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, a Class X felony, traveling to meet a minor, a Class 3 felony, and grooming, a Class 4 felony.

Ziemba waived his right to a jury trial and his case was instead heard by Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr.

At Ziemba’s trial, prosecutors presented Tegeler with evidence that on Dec. 2, 2014, Ziemba traveled from Oswego to an Aurora hotel to have a sexual encounter with what he thought was a 15-year-old girl.

When Ziemba arrived at the hotel he met with a woman he believed was the girl’s mother, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office. He then paid her $150 for a pre-arranged sexual encounter with the girl and was arrested by officers from Homeland Security Investigations and the Aurora Police Department.

“Human trafficking, including child sex trafficking, is a serious problem that does exist in the United States, in our region and even in Chicago’s suburbs,” said Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon. “Fortunately, law enforcement and governments at multiple levels are increasing their commitment to bring attention to the prevalence of child exploitation and to stopping it.”

Judge Tegeler set Ziemba’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 16 in Courtroom 311 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing. Ziemba faces a minimum sentence of six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In addition to the prison term, Ziemba must register for 10 years as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.

“I hope this conviction and others like it are a step toward ending this highly disturbing behavior,” McMahon said.

Ziemba had been free on $30,000 bond. Bond was revoked upon conviction and Ziemba was taken into custody.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer and Kane County First Assistant State’s Attorney Jody Gleason.

— Oswego man convicted of child sex trafficking —