Algonquin Man Among 27 Arrested In Human Trafficking Sting

LAKE COUNTY, IL — An Algonquin man is among 27 men arrested for soliciting a sex act during a human trafficking suppression operation in Lake County last week, police said.

Christopher Covelli, deputy chief of Lake County Sheriff's Office, said the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group took part in the two-day detail in an effort to "reduce the demand for purchased sex."

The operation targeted people trying to purchase sex through online classified advertisements, which is a "tactic regularly used by traffickers to market victims of human trafficking," police said.

As part of the operation, undercover detectives posed as people offering money for sexual acts, and when the alleged perpetrators arrived at a Gurnee-area hotel — and offered money to the detectives for sexual acts — they were arrested and taken to the Lake County Jail, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

In total, 27 people from across the Chicago area and Wisconsin were arrested. Two of the people resisted arrest, and one officer was injured during the operation.

The officer, Covell said, sustained a bruised and bloody nose.

“These operations are about protecting victims and holding sex buyers accountable,” said Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg. “Suppressing the demand is a critical piece of dismantling the human trafficking pipeline. If there is no buyer, there is no market.”

All 27 people arrested were charged with soliciting a sexual act, including:

• Abelardo A. Velasquez, 30, of the 10000 block of Waldo in Beach Park
• Robert L. Rowels, 39, of the 35000 block of Franklin Street in Ingleside
• James A. Kavinsky, 30, of the 8100 block of Ballard Road in Niles
• Jamir D. Holmes, 20, of the 3500 block Rebecca Drive in Zion
• Mathew Reynolds, 23, of the 10000 block of Seasons Place in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
• Jesus S. Munoz, 35, of the 1100 block Kishwaukee Valley in Woodstock
• Hakeem A. Moore, 22, of the 500 block of Farragut Ave. in Great Lakes
• Jesus M. Valdez, 28, of the 2700 block Emmaus in Zion
• Tyree R.L. Alexander, 32, of the 6000 block of Goldfish Drive in Gurnee
• Alexis M. Lopez, 31, of the 600 block of Brynmawr Street in Park City
• Adrion E. Reynolds, 21, of the 3100 block 7th Street in Park City
• Eryk P. Plawinski, 26, of the 500 block Harper Drive in Algonquin
• Daevieon Garland, 21, of the 900 block Keith in Waukegan
• Joshua L. Powell, 34, of the 200 block Brookhill Road in Libertyville
• Daniel Corona, 29, of the 8400 block 82nd in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
• Charles A. Lintner, 35, of the 1100 block of Quincy Ave. in Johnsburg
• Andre L. Harevey, 41, of the 1700 block Arrington Court in North Chicago
• Ryan P. Gibbs, 26, of the 700 block Thomas Court in Libertyville
• Ubaldo L. Sanchez, 28, of the 800 block McAllister in Waukegan
• Jonathan R. Litson, 45, 5200 Frederick Ct, Gurnee
• Essodong Tchakpala, 25, 1100 Nature Ct, Round Lake Beach
• Adam S.W. Porwit, 26, 32000 120th St, Twin Lakes
• Carl R. Weber, 35, 1900 block of Red Oak Ct, Muskego, WI
• John Garcia, 53, 4800 85th St, Kenosha

In addition, the following individuals were charged with soliciting a sexual act and additional charges:

• Jesus Navarrete-Vega, 30, of the 900 block of Magnolia Avenue in Gurnee, was also charged with resisting a police officer and criminal damage to property
• Argyll Piansay, 61, 3400 block of Sherman Ave. in Gurnee, was also charged with attempt possession of a controlled substance – cocaine
• Deybys Matute Moncada, 31, of Zion, was also charged with resisting a peace officer resulting in injury, aggravated battery.

The sheriff's office conducts human trafficking suppression operations at least once per year — sometimes more, Covelli said.