25 Men Arrested In Cook County Sheriff's Police 'John' Sting Targeting Sex Buyers

Press release from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office:

July 23, 2021

COOK COUNTY, IL – Officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Special Victims Unit issued citations to 25 men and towed 21 vehicles as part of an undercover operation targeting individuals seeking to buy sex, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.

On Thursday, July 22, SVU officers set up a sting operation in an area of Leyden Township frequented by individuals seeking to purchase sex.

Over the course of the operation, 25 men approached members of the team and solicited sex in exchange for money. Each man was issued a $1,000 citation for violation of the Cook County public morals nuisance ordinance, and 21 vehicles were towed under the ordinance, requiring the vehicle owner to pay $500 to reclaim possession.

Sheriff’s Police aggressively pursue those who contributing to sex trafficking and offer services and support to individuals who are trapped in it.

This press release was produced by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The views expressed here are the author’s own.