27 Arrested in Lake County Human Trafficking Sting

A two-day human trafficking sting in Lake County, Illinois, led to the arrest of 27 men accused of attempting to purchase sex via online classified ads, a tactic often used by traffickers. Undercover detectives posed as sex workers at a Gurnee-area hotel, arresting suspects and charging each with soliciting a sexual act; all were released pending court dates. Two individuals received additional charges: one for aggravated battery and resisting a peace officer after injuring a detective, and another for resisting arrest and causing property damage. Another person was charged with attempted possession of cocaine. Authorities stressed that the operation’s primary goal was to protect victims and disrupt the demand for human trafficking. The effort involved cooperation from local police and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.