Six men have been charged with seeking to engage in sex acts with minors.
On April 23-24, the Illinois State Police’s Division of Criminal Investigation Enforcement Bureau detained the men as part of a two-day anti-human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Troy area.
Arrested were:
- Brian Tilson, 43, of Highland
- Justin Kuehnel, 41, of Glen Carbon
- Kyle Altevogt, 30, of Panama
- Gregory Robinson, 34, of Fairview Heights
- James Walker, 40, of Effingham
- Ulises Mendieta-Galindo, 36, of O’Fallon
All six suspects were arrested and charged with indecent solicitation of a kid, a Class 3 crime; traveling to meet a juvenile, a Class 3 felony; solicitation to meet a child, a Class 4 felony; grooming, a Class 4 felony; and indecent solicitation of a child, a Class 4 felony.
Class 3 felonies are punishable by two to five years in jail and a maximum fine of $25,000. Class 4 felonies are punishable by one to three years in jail and a maximum punishment of $25,000.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with ISP special agents, Troop 8, Zone 6 police, ISP SWAT, ISP analysts, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois, the Intelligence Support Unit, and the Troy Police Department. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided assistance with the operation.
Human trafficking is defined as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to coerce a person to engage in commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will.
State Police said they will maintain their multifaceted strategy to protect the most vulnerable people through continuous human trafficking enforcement operations.
If you suspect human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text *233733, or email [email protected].
