WLS -- Five people have been charged with multiple felonies in relation to human trafficking for the purposes of prostitution in Kane County, officials said Thursday. Charles Police Chief James Keegan said his department launched a human trafficking investigation after they discovered a brothel operating on the Near West Side of St.
Charles in early spring Keegan said his investigation revealed the brothel was part of a larger criminal enterprise that was also operating in Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, South Elgin, Hanover Park and unincorporated Palatine. Wednesday morning, seven women were taken into protective custody and then moved into transitional housing as a result of the investigation.
One of the women was taken to a local hospital for treatment and subsequently released, Keegan said. Police said the women were all victims of human trafficking. All are over the age of 18, with their ages ranging from their early 20s to their early 30s.
Police said none of the victims are minors. They are all from different parts of South America, police said. Two of the defendants are brothers, police said.
They are charged with multiple felony counts of involuntary servitude, trafficking in persons and promoting prostitution. The charges carry sentences up to 30 years in prison, officials said. Neighbors said in the early morning hours of Wednesday, there was heavy police activity in the area. Suzi Smithey said her roommate was walking by as police moved into an apartment along the block. We have grandbabies here, we have children that play here.
