The Lake County Sheriff’s Office arrested seven men during a prostitution sting on Monday in Waukegan.
Authorities said that the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force teamed up with federal and local law enforcement agencies during a nationwide operation which “specifically targeted customers of prostitutes known as Johns.”
Police used a classified advertising website, which is regularly used as a medium for prostitution, officials said. When the men arrived and offered money to the undercover detectives for sex acts, they were arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail.
“Over the past seven years, this nationwide effort led to the arrests of more than 8,000 total “Johns” and sex traffickers,” police said.
The sting happened at a motel in the 4100 block of Fountain Square Place in Waukegan.
“Investigating human trafficking is one of the top priorities of the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force. Prostitution often involves human trafficking and juvenile sex trafficking, which is exactly why we conduct these investigations,” Sheriff Mark Curran said.
The following men were arrested and charged with solicitation of a sexual act: Marquez Evelio Evelio Marquez, 55, of the 1000 block of 67th Street, Kenosha; Jeremy P. Hoen, 29, of the 2900 block of Dominion Lane, Lakemoor; Luis Lopez-Arellano, 32, of the 42300 block of Delany Road, Zion; Raymond Berger, 33, of the 21500 block of West Nielson Drive, Lake Villa; Luis E. Carednas Luis E. Cardenas, 48, of the 2600 block of Peppertree Lane, Waukegan; Dionicio S. Pott, 37, of the 400 block of Hull Court, Waukegan; and Elmer E. Rosales, 54, of the 700 block of Center Street, Waukegan.
All of the men are due in court on March 12.