Fed Arrest Wilmington Man on Child Sex Charges

Federal authorities have arrested a 28-year-old Wilmington man on child sex charges. In a press release Wednesday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois said Ryan Zelek was arrested Tuesday, charged with production of child pornography and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual activity. The press release alleges Zelek communicated with a 13-year-old Iowa girl on Snapchat, then drove to a movie theater to pick her up before driving her to his home in Wilmington where he allegedly sexually abused her. Zelek allegedly used his cell phone to record at least part of the encounter before driving the girl back to Iowa. If convicted, Zelek faces between 15 and 30 years on the child porn charge and an additional 10 years to life for the transportation charge.