Five arrested on 23 charges in Illinois State Police human trafficking crackdown

Five people were charged in Monroe County in a two-day human trafficking enforcement operation, according to Illinois State Police.

The crackdown took place in the Columbia area on July 31 and Aug. 1.

“The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts,” the police announcement states. It was conducted by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau.

The release announcement states that the following people were arrested and charged:

• Deepak Chiluveru, 24 of St. Louis – Indecent solicitation a child (Class 3 felony),traveling to meet a child (Class 3 felony), grooming (Class 4 felony), and solicitation to meet a child (Class 4 felony).

• Tuan M. Huynh, 34 of St. Louis – Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, solicitation to meet a child , and armed violence (Class X felony).

• Leslie M. Johnson, 56 of St. Louis – Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, and solicitation to meet a child.

• Kawa M. Shaker, 26, of St. Louis – Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, and solicitation to meet a child.

• Roberto Rodriquez-Cordero, 36 of St. Louis – Indecent solicitation a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming, solicitation to meet a child, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and armed violence.

“This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois,” the announcement states. “ISP special agents, Troop 8 Troopers, SWAT officers, and Intelligence Support Unit, partnered with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Centralia Police Department, and Metropolitan Enforcement Group Southern Illinois for the operation. The Monroe County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation.

The Illinois State Police announcement defines human trafficking as “the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will.”

To learn more about the signs of human trafficking, which are subtle, visit recognizing the signs of human trafficking at the National Human Trafficking Hotline site.

If you suspect human trafficking, call the hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.

This story was originally published August 3, 2024 at 11:04 AM.