Teen Solicitation Case: Woman Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge, Gets Probation

A woman who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Friday, Aug. 10 and received 24 months of probation.

Lauren Papiez, 21, appeared in a Bridgeview courtroom in a pink shirt and dark slacks with her attorney Daniel Florey, who announced he and the prosecution had reached a plea agreement. 

Police say Papiez of Oak Lawn and her 26-year-old boyfriend, James West, sent sexually explicit photos and text messages to the high school student . They were arrested Sept. 16 of last year and charged with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child. West was taken into custody at , where he was operating rides for Spectacular Midway Amusement.

Prosecutors said Papiez knew the age of the victim and used her cell phone to send the messages and photos to the girl and also allowed West to use her phone to communicate with her.

A teacher at the victim's high school discovered the explicit text messages on the student’s phone after the teacher confiscated it when the girl violated the school’s cell phone policy, reports said.

Judge John Joseph Hynes sentenced Papiez, who has no criminal background, to two years probation, ordered to have no contact with the victim and to pay $239 in court costs. She was also credited with 326 days of time served.  The assistant state's attorney said the victim's family is aware of the agreement.

As part of the agreement, Papiez will not have to register as a sex offender and prosecutors have not asked for cooperation from her as a witness against West.

West, who is still in custody, is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 12.