The Illinois State Police (ISP) execute an operation against human trafficking, leading to the apprehension of eight individuals. Over the span of August 9-10 the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau orchestrated an initiative aimed at detecting individuals attempting to involve themselves in the commercial sexual exploitation of minors.
Brendan F. Kelly, Director of ISP, emphasized the organization's escalated commitment to safeguarding those susceptible to human trafficking, coerced labor, and sexual exploitation. Kelly stated, "ISP previously executed a comparable operation in June, which resulted in the arrest of seven individuals in the Metro East region. Those considering fueling the demand for human trafficking should be aware that ISP could potentially apprehend them with handcuffs at the ready."
Following the operation, the subsequent individuals were taken into custody and formally charged:
David L. Kraemer (41) from Lovington, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Travelling to Meet a Minor.
Cody R. Jones (34) from Springfield, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Travelling to Meet a Minor.
Shannan C. Morrow (52) from White Hall, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Travelling to Meet a Minor, and Sexual Exploitation of a Child.
Edgar G. Mendoza (32) from Springfield, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Travelling to Meet a Minor.
Phillip J. Smith (43) from Rochester, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Travelling to Meet a Minor.
Timothy E. Smith (28) from Springfield, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child (2 Counts) and Travelling to Meet a Minor (2 Counts).
Kory W. Tobias (45) from Chatham, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Travelling to Meet a Minor.
Zebei D. Zhu (37) from Springfield, Illinois, faced charges of Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Travelling to Meet a Minor.
This operation formed part of the multi-pronged strategy adopted by ISP to combat human trafficking in Illinois. Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright, said, “We are grateful to the men and women of the Illinois State Police for their efforts to protect our children from sexual predators through proactive enforcement efforts like this one. We will do everything within our power to hold these individuals accountable and continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners in the fight against human trafficking.”
Contributing to the operation were ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4 and Zone 6 Special Agents, Troopers from ISP Troop 6, ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Intelligence Support Unit, ISP Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), West Central Illinois Task Force, Central Illinois Enforcement Group, ISP Highway Interdiction Team South, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Sangamon County States Attorney’s Office.
If you suspect instances of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For additional information, visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also send an email to ISP.Crime.Tips@illinois.gov.
Comentários