A Chicago man has been sentenced to prison for traveling to Aurora and paying for a sexual encounter with a minor.
Marek P. Gacierz, 34, of the 3700 block of North Octavia Street, Chicago, was sentenced to six years in prison Friday by Kane County Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler Jr.
Gacierz was convicted in June 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. He waived his right to a jury trial, according to a news release from the state’s attorney’s office.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer and First Assistant State’s Attorney Jody Gleason prosecuted the case.
On Jan. 8, 2015, Gacierz traveled from Chicago to an Aurora hotel intending to pay for sex with what he believed would be a 15-year-old girl, according to evidence presented by prosecutors at the trial.
When Gacierz got to the hotel, he met someone he thought was the girl’s mother, confirmed he wanted sexual favors and paid the woman $150. He was then arrested by Aurora police and Homeland Security Investigations officers, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
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Gacierz is eligible for day-for-day sentencing in accordance with Illinois law and is receiving credit for 176 days already served in the Kane County Jail. In addition to the prison term, he must register for 10 years as a sexual offender, in accordance to the state’s sex offender registration act.
“Mr. Gacierz was prepared to satisfy his sexual needs by exploiting a child, an appalling and depraved act,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said in a news release. “Although those who seek out children for sexual favors are only part of the problem, the supply is more likely to be eliminated if the demand goes away. I hope this sentence and others like it in recent weeks show others who seek to exploit children that law enforcement at all levels is committed to ending the exploitation of children.”
Gacierz’s attorney did not immediately return a message sent Friday afternoon seeking comment.
Twitter @hannahmleone