Alton Police Arrest Williams After Reported Walgreens Meeting Plan
Madison County prosecutors allege a man arrived armed to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl, prompting charges tied to messages and the planned encounter.
ALTON — Leron C. Williams of St. Louis faces five felony charges after prosecutors alleged he traveled with a handgun to an Alton Walgreens to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl for sexual activity.
The charges, brought by the Madison County State’s Attorney, concern alleged conduct between Oct. 11 and Oct. 13, 2026. Williams is charged with armed violence, traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a child, grooming and possession of a controlled substance.
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Alton Police responded to the Walgreens at 1650 Washington Ave. after a report that an individual was attempting to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl to commit a sex act. Officers took Williams into custody and contacted the individual who had communicated with him through an application and text messages. That individual provided the messages to law enforcement.
According to the allegations, the individual posing as the girl explicitly stated that they were underage. After that disclosure, Williams allegedly sent pornography and described sexual acts he wanted to perform with the child.
The messages allegedly showed an arrangement to meet at the Walgreens and for Williams to purchase Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and a cherry Dr. Pepper before the meeting.
A search of Williams following his arrest yielded a Walgreens bag containing Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and a cherry Dr. Pepper, a Smith & Wesson M&P .40-caliber handgun in his waistband, alcohol and suspected narcotics, according to the account provided.
The armed violence count, a Class X felony, alleges Williams carried the handgun while committing the offense of traveling to meet a minor. Prosecutors allege he traveled within Illinois to commit aggravated criminal sexual abuse after using an electronic device to solicit someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
The separate charge of traveling to meet a minor is a Class 3 felony. The indecent solicitation of a child count is also a Class 3 felony.
The grooming charge, a Class 4 felony, alleges Williams used an online service or a device capable of storing or transmitting electronic data to attempt to entice the person into sexual activity. The controlled substance charge, also a Class 4 felony, alleges he knowingly and unlawfully possessed a substance containing cocaine.
The charges are accusations, and Williams is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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