Two Arrested in Trafficking Enforcement Operation

Two Springfield residents have been arrested following a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation conducted by the Illinois State Police in Springfield.

According to the Illinois State Police, the Division of Criminal Investigation's Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group carried out the operation on June 24 and 25. The effort focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts as part of ongoing enforcement efforts to combat human trafficking in Illinois.

The Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office approved charges against two individuals arrested during the operation.

Raymond Stengel Sr., 74, of Springfield, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor, a Class 3 felony.

Lucas Barria, 24, of Springfield, was charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor and Indecent Solicitation of a Minor, both Class 3 felonies, as well as Solicitation to Meet a Child, a Class 4 felony.

The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group, the Central Illinois Enforcement Group, Illinois State Police SWAT, the Illinois State Police Investigative Support Unit, the North Central Narcotics Task Force, Illinois State Police Division of Patrol Troop 3, Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4, the Illinois State Police Central Special Operations Group and the Decatur Police Department.

Illinois State Police said the operation was part of its ongoing statewide effort to reduce human trafficking through coordinated enforcement. Officials noted that human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel individuals into commercial sex acts, labor or services against their will, and that investigations targeting those creating demand remain a key component of those efforts.

The agency also encouraged the public to learn the signs of human trafficking and report suspected cases. Anyone with information can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text 233733, or submit information to Illinois State Police through ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.

The charges are not evidence against the defendants. Both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.