ROCKFORD (WREX) — It’s a crime that happens online and behind closed doors. According to experts, human trafficking is expanding during COVID-19.
“In this environment where there’s more isolation and in fact business to online pornography sites have increased tremendously,” says Jennifer Cacciapaglia. “Anywhere from 40 to 70% depending on the site.”
Kenosha County, WI — Chrystul Kizer is out of custody after a Chicago-based aid organization posted her $400,000 bond. Kizer, 19, was released from Kenosha County Jail on Monday afternoon. She has been in custody for two years, awaiting trial for the June 2018 shooting death of a man prosecutors admit had been sexually assaulting Kizer and other underage girls.
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A 30- year-old man from Decatur, Illinois has been indicted on child exploitation charges. The man is accused of enticement of a minor, attempted sexual exploitation of children and sex trafficking of children. He was attempting to traffic a child under the age of 14. He used the internet and a cellphone to entice the minor to engage in sexual activity. The authorities say he acted like he was a 17-year old male while he was in contact with the minor.
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Three men in Bloomington, Illinois have been charged with sex trafficking and child pornography. These men are from the ages of 20-24. The investigation began in June and the Bloomington Police Department worked with the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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The presentation will provide a basic understanding of human trafficking and how to identify a trafficking victim. The presenter, FBI Agent Carrie Landau, will discuss the psychology behind human trafficking, how traffickers gain and maintain their control and trends in recruiting.
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The program is called “My Life My Choice” and is based out of Boston, MA. Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, located in IL, prevention program includes connecting young girls and women with survivors to help them better understand what do to if they are confronted with a sex trafficking situation.
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The Center for Prevention of Abuse announced in a Monday news release that the organization will expand its human trafficking prevention education curriculum in area IL high schools.
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Undercover sheriff’s detectives communicated with 33-year-old Sheila Johnston, who then took a juvenile to a hotel in Waukegan, IL. where she met with an undercover detective posting as a customer. During the meeting, Johnston offered both herself and the juvenile for sexual acts for money, police said.
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Rita Law of Chicago, IL sentenced to 30 years in prison Wednesday in a long-running sex trafficking case. Law ran two spas, Duneland Spa in Gary and Fun Fun Feet in Hobart, where she brought women from Asia to the spas and work as prostitutes, according to court documents.
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& Shapiro, D.L. 2002), sex trafficking is the second most lucrative criminal enterprise in the United States.
The average age of entry into the life of trafficking is 12-14 years of age, and recruitment of these young girls and boys often happens through social media and online grooming tactics.
Human trafficking is happening in the Peoria area, but it’s rarely reported because the signs are often overlooked. Statistics accurately depicting the prevalence of human trafficking are hard to come by, said Sefried. It’s under reported.
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Joseph Hazley, 35, was convicted in March on one count of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor, one count of sex trafficking of a minor, and four counts of transporting a person across state lines for the purposes of prostitution. Hazley’s family was in court as Judge Sharon Coleman sentenced him to 32 years. “The family is saddened, resigned and looking forward to his appeal,” said Raymond Wigell, Hazley’s attorney.
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Deronarte Norwood was arrested in October of 2016 in Waukegan, according to authorities, and charged with sex trafficking and knowingly transporting a minor to engage in prostitution, and has remained in custody since then.
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Authorities in San Jose, CA. are crediting a 14-year-old girl with helping break up a human trafficking operation in San Jose earlier this week. The teen contacted the Crisis Text Line to report that she was being held against her will and forced to engage in prostitution, according to Sgt. Enrique Garcia.
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Chicago, IL. prosecutors have charged R. Kelly with 11 new sex-related charges involving one accuser, including some that carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
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Two signs were posted on both buildings following the raids citing multiple code violations. The violations listed on the doors were in relation to the Adult Entertainment License for both businesses. The violations listed included “Access,” “Construction” and “Posting of prices.”
Read MoreU.S. Army veteran plans to walk to Springfield next week to raise awareness and funds to help children and young adults affected by human trafficking. Jordan Mitchell, 28, of New Lenox, said he plans to make the 189-mile march with a ruck sack weighing up to 100 pounds.
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Yes, the number of human trafficking cases handled in Cooke County over the past several years may not be staggering, but it does indicate there is a problem, according to Sgt. Jerry Crumley with the Cooke County Sheriff’s Office. “Trafficking is here,” Crumley said. “It’s everywhere. It’s growing. It’s becoming a bigger and bigger problem throughout the state of Texas.
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Victims of human trafficking – including involuntary servitude and labor trafficking – will be allowed to sue their captors for damages, will have a longer window of time to do so and will be paid for turning them in to police.
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Young of Oak Park, IL. reportedly posted online ads of the children “offering commercial sex” and “required” some of the minors to have sex with him, according to a news release.
Read MoreAn imprisoned former city of Chicago tow truck driver has been charged with forcing eight underage girls into prostitution.
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A registered sex offender is facing human trafficking and other charges after he allegedly had sex with a 16-year-old who was the subject of a 2017 missing person investigation in Tallahassee.
Read MoreCalvin “Cadillac Hustle” S. Williams, 35, pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children. He was indicted on charges of sex trafficking minors, production of child pornography, and distribution and possession of child pornography.
Read MoreThe young Indian actress arrived at O’Hare International Airport last Christmas Eve on a flight from Abu Dhabi.
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