The Illinois State Police arrested a Delavan man as part of a multi-day human trafficking investigation, the department announced on Saturday.
Gerald Hochastatter, 71, was one of six individuals taken into custody. He faces charges of indecent solicitation of a minor, aggravated sexual assault, traveling to meet a child, and attempting to meet a child under the age of five.
The operation took place in the Rockford area on Wednesday, December 4, and Thursday, December 5. Its goal was to identify individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts.
The Illinois State Police coordinated the effort with the State Line Area Narcotics Team and the Blackhawk Area Task Force, with support from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking is encouraged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. For more information, visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s website.
