Gurnee, IL – A human trafficking suppression operation in Lake County resulted in the arrest of 27 men this week, as local authorities intensified efforts to curb the demand for commercial sex.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the two-day initiative was led by the department’s Special Investigations Group (SIG) and targeted individuals attempting to purchase sex through online classified ads. Undercover detectives arranged to meet suspects at a Gurnee-area hotel, where each man allegedly offered money for sexual acts before being taken into custody.
Sheriff John D. Idleburg emphasized the broader intent of the operation, stating, “These operations are about protecting victims and holding sex buyers accountable. Suppressing the demand is a critical piece of dismantling the human trafficking pipeline. If there is no buyer, there is no market.”
Authorities allege many individuals sold for sex are coerced, manipulated, or physically forced into prostitution, often by traffickers who exploit their vulnerabilities and profit from the transactions.
Of the 27 arrested, most were charged with soliciting a sexual act. Two individuals allegedly resisted arrest — one is accused of injuring a detective, while another reportedly damaged hotel property. One suspect was also allegedly found attempting to possess cocaine.
The operation was supported by the Gurnee Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
Those arrested were booked into the Lake County Jail and released pending court appearances. All individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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