Did Jeremy Hylka Abuse You? Law Firm Runs Ads Seeking Victims

JOLIET, IL — The Chicago-based Pintas & Mullins Law Firm is running paid advertisements on Facebook seeking to represent victims of Joliet criminal defendant Jeremy Hylka, who has been fired from his teaching position with the Diocese of Joliet. This week, the 44-year-old New Lenox resident posted 10 percent of his $100,000 bail to avoid going to the Will County Jail on two felony charges: grooming and traveling to meet a minor.

The Joliet Police Department issued a warrant for Hylka's arrest two weeks ago in connection with allegations Hylka visited the McDonald's restaurant on Joliet's West Jefferson Street in the hopes of meeting a 15-year-old boy to perform sexual acts inside an automobile.

Hylka's visit to the Joliet McDonald's was filmed by the Save Our Siblings group. Its members provided copies of their videos of Hylka to the Joliet Police Department to assist in the criminal investigation.

At the time, Hylka was teaching in Lockport at the St. Joseph Catholic School. Previously, Hylka was a theology teacher for many years at the Joliet Catholic Academy on Larkin Avenue.

This week's Facebook advertisements for Pintas & Mullins are headlined: "Jeremy Hylka Abuse, Justice & Claim Help."

The law firm's social media post asks people to fill out a short online questionnaire to determine if they may qualify for a possible legal settlement.

The main questions posted by Pintas & Mullins are:

• Sexually abused by Jeremy Hylka?
• Where did the abuse take place?
• How long ago did the abuse take place?

"We handle cases delicately and with care to ensure the best possible experience. Victims of sexual abuse please contact us now to discuss claim details," the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm announced on Facebook.

The two lawyers who make up the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm are William Pintas and Laura Mullins. Their main law office is on West Huron Street in downtown Chicago.

In their Facebook announcement regarding the criminal charges filed against Hylka, Pintas & Mullins also noted that "Joliet Catholic Academy issued a statement Thursday night — well after news of the arrest warrant was issued — announcing that it had gone to the Joliet Police Department and the Diocese of Joliet last summer in regard to 'online allegations' against Hylka. The statement indicated that Hylka was put on leave from JCA and that resigned his teaching position."

The Chicago firm also set up a Jeremy Hylka claims website here. Pintas & Mullins urges people to call 865-432-0820 for a free consultation.