Several people were arrested during an undercover prostitution sting last week targeting solicitation of minors in Aurora.
The operation was conducted Thursday and Friday after members of the Aurora Police Special Operations Group and agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit targeted websites used to solicit prostitution.
Charged with the most serious offenses were Anthone Caradine, 27, of Romeoville, and William Shyu, 30, of Lisle. Each faces charges of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, traveling to meet a minor and grooming. The charges are all felonies, the most serious being the involuntary sexual servitude charge.
Charges also were filed against four women and another man upon completion of the sting.
Aurora Police Department spokesman Dan Ferrelli said that during the operation, agents and investigators posted advertisements on websites that commonly offer sexual services. When the defendants called the telephone numbers listed, undercover officers made it clear that the services were being offered by underage girls.
Ferrelli said arrangements were then made for the men to meet the girls at an Aurora hotel. Once they arrived, they were taken into custody.
A 17-year-old homeless teen from Texas arrived with a 36-year-old Lockport man, who was questioned and released without charges, Ferrelli said. She was turned over to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and placed into protective custody.
During the sting, officers and agents also targeted ads in a publication that promoted prostitution-related activities involving adults.
That investigation led to prostitution charges against Abelardo Lopez, 42, 800 block of Kane Street, Aurora; Charletta King, 29, Franklin Park; Linda Houston, 23, Loves Park; and Jasmine Jenkins, 26, Texas. Police said all the suspects agreed to provide officers sexual activity in exchange for money. Ferrelli said there was no connection between Jenkins and the 17-year-old female from Texas.
“These arrests should serve as a wake-up call to anyone considering participating in crimes that victimize children,” Aurora police Chief Greg Thomas said. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at all levels to eliminate these disgusting crimes from the city of Aurora.”
Caradine and Shyu are being held in lieu of $400,000 bail each at the Kane County Correctional Center in St. Charles. Caradine’s next court appearance is Friday and Shyu’s April 16 at the Kane County Judicial Center.
Ferrelli said police impounded six vehicles and seized about $1,000 during the operation. The Kane County Child Advocacy Center also assisted during the investigation.
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In January, Aurora police worked with federal officials to conduct a similar undercover operation that led to eight arrests. The six-week sting targeted people soliciting underage children for sex via websites. The investigation was conducted in a fashion similar to last week’s sting.
When it was over, eight men, who ranged in age from 19 to 40, were charged with arranging to have sex with minors at an Aurora motel.