(Top – Left to Right): Willie A. Huddson, 50, of Colp; Nicholas A. Love, 44, of Marion; Jason R. Fox, 51, of Alto Pass; Harley D. Angel, 22, of Carrollton. (Bottom – Left to Right): Michael L. Beltz, 66, of Herrin; Isiah J. Rogers, 24, of Somerset; Cory T. Stewart, 43, of Waverly; Isiah J. Rogers, 24, of Somerset; and Douglas R. Charles, 50, of Union.

Illinois State Police have announced the arrests of eight men, including a McHenry County man, who were caught during a human trafficking demand suppression operation.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Group said Friday they arrested eight suspects during a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation in Williamson County.

The operation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday in Marion.

The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts, state police said.

Those arrested included Douglas R. Charles, 50, of Union; Nicholas A. Love, 44, of Marion; Michael L. Beltz, 66, of Herrin; Jason R. Fox, 51, of Alto Pass; Willie A. Huddson, 50, of Colp; Isiah J. Rogers, 24, of Somerset; Cory T. Stewart, 43, of Waverly; and Harley D. Angel, 22, of Carrollton.

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All of them except Angel were charged with traveling to meet a minor, indecent solicitation of a minor and solicitation to meet a child. All of the charges are felonies.

Angel was charged with violation of the sex offender registration – duty to register.

The operation was part of a multi-faceted approach by state police aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois, officials said.

The Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, ISP SWAT, Intelligence Support Unit, ISP Division of Patrol Troop 10, Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion Police Department worked during the operation.

The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation.

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

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ISP said it continues a multi-faceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations.

Anyone who suspects human trafficking is asked to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text *233733. Tips can also be sent to [email protected]. ​