Columbia, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested five individuals during a two-day human trafficking enforcement operation in the Columbia area of Monroe County on July 31- August 1, 2024. The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts.
As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Deepak Chiluveru (24) of St. Louis, MO – 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, MO – Indecent Solicitation a Child (Class 3 Felony), Traveling to Meet a Child (Class 3 Felony), Grooming (Class 4 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Armed Violence (Class X Felony)
- Leslie M. Johnson (56) of St. Louis, MO – 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)
- Kawa M. Shaker (26) of St. Louis, MO – 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)
- Roberto Rodriquez-Cordero (36) of St. Louis, MO – Indecent Solicitation a Child (Class 3 Felony), Traveling to Meet a Child (Class 3 Felony), Grooming (Class 4 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony), and Armed Violence (Class X Felony)
This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. 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.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will. ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations. The signs of human trafficking can be subtle; to learn more, please visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.
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