SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - A Sangamon County jury has found a Springfield man guilty of multiple sex crimes involving a minor.

On October 9, 56-year-old Samuel L. Britz was convicted on four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Prosecutors say Britz sexually assaulted an 11-year-old female neighbor from 2018 through October 2020.

According to the State's Attorneys Office, during the fourth day of trial—just before closing arguments—Britz failed to show up in court.

Authorities launched a search, and with assistance from the Springfield Police Department and the United States Marshals Service, Britz was located and apprehended in Chicago, Illinois.

He remains in custody and will be returned to Sangamon County for sentencing.

B

See Full Page