COLUMBIA, Ill. – 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, Ill. area of Monroe County Wednesday, July 31 and Thursday, 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:
24-year-old 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)
34-year-old Tuan M. Huynh 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)
56-year-old Leslie M. Johnson 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)
26-year-old Kawa M. Shaker 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)
36-year-old Roberto Rodriquez-Cordero 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
The charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.