ILLINOIS STATE POLICE LEADS HUMAN TRAFFICKING DEMAND SUPPRESSION OPERATION IN LINCOLNSHIRE
February 28, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2025
LINCOLNSHIRE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested four individuals during a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Lincolnshire area of Lake County on February 25 - 26, 2025. The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts.
As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Timothy Hansen (57) of Lake Bluff, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Elijah Newell (40) of Chicago, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Sean Powers (38) of Geneva, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).
- Edas Romero-Chinchilla (32) of Round Lake Heights, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).
This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. ISP special agents, officers from Troops 3 and 6, ISP SWAT, ISP Analysts, North Central Narcotics Task Force, Intelligence Support Unit, and the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group partnered for the operation. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will. ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations. The signs of human trafficking can be subtle; to learn more, please visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.
The charges are not evidence against the defendants, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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