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Six men arrested in Rockford-area human trafficking operation: state police

By Cody King
Published  December 8, 2024 3:40pm CST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 32 Chicago

Six men arrested in Rockford-area human trafficking operation: state police

Six men were arrested on charges related to child solicitation following a two-day human trafficking sting in the Rockford area, Illinois State Police said.

The Brief

    • Six arrests in Rockford sting: Illinois State Police arrested six men during a Dec. 4-5 operation targeting individuals seeking to solicit children for commercial sexual acts.
    • Charges detailed: The suspects, aged 31 to 71, face felony charges including indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child, and solicitation to meet a child.
    • Collaborative effort: The operation involved multiple agencies, including ISP Troops 1 and 3, SWAT, and local task forces, with assistance from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.

ROCKFORD, Ill. - Six men were arrested on charges related to child solicitation following a two-day human trafficking sting in the Rockford area, Illinois State Police said.

The operation, conducted Dec. 4-5, focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sexual acts, state police said.

Six arrested in Rockford-area human trafficking operation: state police (Illinois State Police)

The suspects and their charges are as follows:

  • Carlos A Rivera, 50, of Rockford: Charged with indecent solicitation a child/aggravated sex (Class 1 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony) and solicitation to meet a child 5 years of age+ (Class 4 Felony)
  • Harry J. Hulmes III, 57, of Machesney Park: Charged with indecent solicitation a child/aggravated sex (Class 1 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony) and solicitation to meet a child 5 years of age+ (Class 4 Felony)
  • Jon D. Juhlin, 58, of Rockford: Charged with indecent solicitation a child/aggravated sex (Class 1 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony) and solicitation to meet a child 5 years of age+ (Class 4 Felony)
  • Lavonte D. Allen, 32, of Rockford: Charged with indecent solicitation a child/aggravated sex (Class 1 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony) and solicitation to meet a child 5 years of age+ (Class 4 Felony)
  • Nathan D. Hayes, 31, of Pecatonica: Charged with indecent solicitation a child/aggravated sex (Class 1 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony) and solicitation to meet a child 5 years of age+ (Class 4 Felony)
  • Gerald L. Hochastatter, 71, of Delevan, Wis.: Charged with indecent solicitation a child/aggravated sex (Class 1 Felony), traveling to meet a child (Class 3 Felony) and solicitation to meet a child 5 years of age+ (Class 4 Felony)

Further information about the incidents hasn't been released.

According to state police, human trafficking is "the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor or services against their will." 

The operation involved ISP special agents, officers from ISP Troops 1 and 3, SWAT, and the ISP Intelligence Support Unit. They partnered with the State Line Area Narcotics Team, the Blackhawk Area Task Force, and the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is urged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or via text at 233733. 

For more information on human trafficking, visit this link.

The Source

  • The information in this article was provided by Illinois State Police. 

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