A Woodstock man is among six suspects arrested and accused of operating brothels in northern Illinois following a human exploitation investigation, authorities announced.
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that six men were arrested and charged as a result of a 15-month-long investigation into prostitution occurring at brothels operating in Aurora, West Dundee, Rockford and South Elgin.
Multiple law enforcement agencies led by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office’s Human Exploitation Unit conducted a coordinated arrest operation across Kane, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago and Cook counties on July 16.
The suspects face charges including promoting prostitution for profit, promoting prostitution near a school and forgery.
Abisahit Del Angel Hernandez, 40, of Woodstock, was charged with promoting prostitution advance near school, Class 3 felony, and forgery-makes or alters document, Class 3 felony.
Gustavo A. Perez Cardoza, 35, of Aurora, was charged with promoting prostitution advance, Class 4 felony, and promoting prostitution for profit arrangement, Class 4 felony.
Hugo F. Jaimes-Ramirez, 43, of Aurora, and Kenneth E. Figueroa Castro, 29, of Belvidere, were both charged with four counts of promoting prostitution and one count of forgery.
Delfino Torres-Navarro, 59, of Hanover Park, and Ricardo Hernandez Lux, 33, of Elgin, were both charged with four counts of promoting prostitution,
According to a criminal complaint, the suspects knowingly advanced and profited from prostitution by arranging clients and controlling or exercising control over the use of residential apartments in the 500 block of Ashland Avenue in Aurora, the 800 block of Village Quarter Road in West Dundee, the 800 block of Kishwaukee Street in Rockford and the 300 block of Ann Street in South Elgin.
The complaint also alleges that multiple defendants committed forgery by using false names on rental leases associated with some of the brothels.
All six suspects are currently in custody and detention hearings are set for Thursday at the Kane County Judicial Center.
The investigation and arrest operation were led by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation Unit in partnership with the Aurora Police Department, Belvidere Police Department, DHS Homeland Security Investigations, Elgin Police Department, Hanover Park Police Department, Illinois State Police, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Rockford Police Department, South Elgin Police Department, West Chicago Police Department, West Dundee Police Department and Woodstock Police Department.
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation Unit, launched in January 2025, is a specialized team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offenses, including sex and labor trafficking.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said the goal when the unit was created was that her office could investigate and prosecute those who commit sex or labor trafficking.
“The charges allege that these defendants promoted prostitution for profit at multiple locations, including near a school. These defendants were taking advantage of vulnerable women and exploiting them for financial gain. I am extremely proud of the work of our investigators, advocates and prosecutors that spent countless hours bringing these individuals to justice and saving victims,” Mosser said.
“Further, I thank our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their collaboration throughout this 15-month investigation. The HEU and our partnership with law enforcement were instrumental in bringing these charges,” she said.
Kane County Undersheriff Amy Johnson said the coordinated enforcement effort “reflects our unwavering commitment” to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals in the community.
“Working alongside the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners, these investigations demonstrate the strength of collaboration across jurisdictions. Human trafficking has no boundaries, and neither should our response. We remain committed to holding offenders accountable while supporting victims,” Johnson said.
Rockford Chief of Police Carla Redd said criminal activity does not stop at jurisdictional boundaries and “neither does our commitment to protecting our community.”
“The success of this investigation reflects the strength of our partnerships and the professionalism of everyone who worked together to achieve this outcome,” Redd said.