3 Brothels Busted By Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security

CHICAGO, IL — Several people were arrested after three area brothels were raided Tuesday by the Cook County Sheriff's Office's vice squad and the US Department of Homeland Security. The arrests were the result of an 11-month joint investigation by the two law enforcement agencies to crack down on the operation, the sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday.

Officers executed search warrants Tuesday, June 27, at two apartments in Chicago — the 3900 block of West Lawrence Avenue in the Albany Park neighborhood and 4500 block of South Archer Avenue in the Archer Heights neighborhood — and one in unincorporated Maine Township in the 1000 block of Holly Lane. According to the sheriff's office, those three apartment locations served as fronts for illegal prostitution that "attracted a high volume of johns." Authorities arrested individuals accused of being customers, as well as those suspected of running the prostitution, the sheriff's office said. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app).

Here's a look at the arrests made at each location, along with the charges filed, according to the sheriff's office:

3900 block of West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago

• Salomon Diaz, 19, of Aurora, charged with promoting prostitution. He also had an outstanding warrant for aggravated battery to a peace officer.
• Audelio Aguilar-Hernandez, 51, of Melrose Park, charged with patronize prostitute, a class 4 felony.

4500 block of South Archer Avenue, Chicago

• Antonio Cruz, 46, of the 4500 block of South Francisco Avenue, Chicago, charged with promoting prostitution.
• Ignacio Santana-Pineda, 22, of Countryside, charged with patronize prostitute.
• Salvador Santana-Pineda, 22, of Countryside, charged with patronize prostitute.
• Arturo Santana-Pineda, 36, of Countryside, charged with patronize prostitute.

(The Santana-Pinedas are brothers.)

1000 Block of Holly Lane, Unincorporated Maine Township

• Maria Lopez, 49, of Glenview, charged with promoting prostitution, a class 4 felony.

Bail hearings for the defendants are scheduled for Thursday. Six women working at the brothel also were provided housing and other services through the victim advocacy programs offered by the sheriff's office and Homeland Security.

A spokesman for Homeland Security told the Chicago Sun-Times that the investigation into the brothels began after the agency received a tip concerning foreign nationals involved in prostitution in Chicago. Although he didn't provide details, the Homeland Security official said immigration arrests also were made stemming from the investigation and Tuesday's raids.

FIRST MAIN PHOTO: Salomon Diaz, 19 (left), and Audelio Aguilar-Hernandez, 51 (Photos via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

SECOND MAIN PHOTO: Antonio Cruz, 46 (left), and Salvador Santana-Pineda, 22 (Photos via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

THIRD MAIN PHOTO: Arturo Santana-Pineda, 36 (left), and Ignacio Santana-Pineda, 22 (Photos via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

FOURTH MAIN PHOTO: Maria Lopez, 49 (Photo via Cook County Sheriff's Office)

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