Ferto Charged in Teutopolis Parking Lot Incident

The Maywood man taken into custody in the Teutopolis High School parking lot Wednesday has been formally charged.

29-year-old Antonio Castorena Ferto was charged Friday morning with a Class 4 felony count of grooming and a Class 3 felony count of traveling to meet a minor. The grooming charge is punishable by up to three years in prison, while the traveling to meet a minor count is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said Ferto was found in the parking lot to meet with a THS student. Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon said his office received information at 11:45am Wednesday from students and staff at Teutopolis High School about a meeting between a juvenile female student and an adult male. The male was traveling a long distance to meet with the student at the school at around 1:30pm that day.

Mahon said the investigation revealed the juvenile female was having a clandestine, online relationship with the male and both had planned to meet at the school after early dismissal. The Sheriff's Office deployed patrol and undercover units to the area and approached the male upon his arrival at the school. The sheriff said at no no time did the suspect have contact with any of the students or staff at Teutopolis High School. Detectives continue to investigate the technological end of the case.

The sheriff said, "This situation, if left to run its course, could have ended tragically. This is a perfect example of how we all need to be mindful when interacting online." Mahon said parents and children need to be cautious when chatting online.

During his initial court appearance on the offenses Friday morning, Judge James Eder set Ferto's bond at $75,000, ordered Ferto to have no contact with the student, ordered him to stay off Teutopolis High School property, and to have no contact with anyone under age 18 without supervision.

The public defender was appointed to represent Ferto. His first court appearance with counsel was set for the morning of February 27.