06/28/2025
Nice work, Lake County IL Sheriff's Office!! While John Ops like these are controversial, they do actually help to educate buyers about the realities of trafficking and the people they are attempting to buy s*x from. These Johns should be held accountable as well and it does a small part in reducing demand though it will likely never be gone. We appreciate that the department took the time to try to educate the public in their post about the realities of trafficking and how victims are treated and why they may SEEM like willing participants. If you know someone that may be in this situation and needs help, please call one of our advocates at 262-771-8517.
27 Arrested in Human Trafficking Suppression Initiative
In continued efforts to combat human trafficking, the Lake County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Group (SIG) conducted a two-day human trafficking suppression operation this week, focused on reducing the demand for purchased s*x. A total of 27 men were arrested during the operation.
The operation specifically targeted individuals attempting to purchase s*x through online classified advertisements, a tactic regularly used by traffickers to market victims of human trafficking. Undercover detectives posed as individuals offering s*x for money. When the offenders arrived at a Gurnee-area hotel, and offered money for s*xual acts, they were arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail.
While some may perceive prostitution as a consensual transaction between adults, experience and investigative work have consistently shown that many individuals being sold for s*x are not participating willingly. Traffickers often force victims into prostitution through physical violence, manipulation, fraud, or coercion. Many of these victims are vulnerable and live in fear of the repercussions they’ll face if they do not comply, often being forced to surrender any money they receive to their trafficker.
“These operations are about protecting victims and holding s*x buyers accountable,” said Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg. “Suppressing the demand is a critical piece of dismantling the human trafficking pipeline. If there is no buyer, there is no market.”
Two of the offenders resisted arrest during the operation, one instance resulted in minor injuries to an officer, and the other caused damage to a hotel hallway.
Arrested during the operation were:
Abelardo A. Velasquez, 30, 10000 block of Waldo, Beach Park
Robert L. Rowels, 39, 35000 block of Franklin St, Ingleside
James A. Kavinsky, 30, 8100 block of Ballard Rd, Niles
Jamir D. Holmes, 20, 3500 Rebecca Dr, Zion
Mathew Reynolds, 23, 10000 block of Seasons Pl, Pleasant Prairie
Jesus S. Munoz, 35, 1100 block Kishwaukee Valley, Woodstock
Hakeem A. Moore, 22, 500 block of Farragut Ave, Great Lakes
Jesus Navarrete-Vega, 30, 900 block of Magnolia Ave, Gurnee
Also charged with resisting a police officer (Class A), criminal damage to property (Class A)
Jesus M. Valdez, 28, 2700 block Emmaus, Zion
Tyree R.L. Alexander, 32, 6000 block of Goldfish Dr, Gurnee
Alexis M. Lopez, 31, 600 block of Brynmawr St, Park City
Adrion E. Reynolds, 21, 3100 block 7th St, Park City
Eryk P. Plawinski, 26, 500 block Harper Dr, Algonquin
Daevieon Garland, 21, 900 block Keith, Waukegan
Joshua L. Powell, 34, 200 block Brookhill Rd, Libertyville
Daniel Corona, 29, 8400 block 82nd, Pleasant Prairie
Deybys Matute Moncada, 31, unknown address – Zion
Also charged with resisting a peace officer resulting in injury (Class 4), aggravated battery (Class 2) – after kneeing a detective in the face, causing injury
Charles A. Lintner, 35, 1100 Quincy Ave, Johnsburg
Argyll Piansay, 61, 3400 block of Sherman Ave, Gurnee
Also charged with attempt possession of a controlled substance – co***ne (Class A)
Andre L. Harevey, 41, 1700 block Arrington Ct, North Chicago
Ryan P. Gibbs, 26, 700 Thomas Ct, Libertyville
Ubaldo L. Sanchez, 28, 800 block McAllister, Waukegan
Jonathan R. Litson, 45, 5200 Frederick Ct, Gurnee
Essodong Tchakpala, 25, 1100 Nature Ct, Round Lake Beach
Adam S.W. Porwit, 26, 32000 120th St, Twin Lakes
Carl R. Weber, 35, 1900 block of Red Oak Ct, Muskego, WI
John Garcia, 53, 4800 85th St, Kenosha
All those arrested, unless otherwise noted, were charged with one count of soliciting a s*xual act. They were cited, processed at the Lake County Jail, and released pending a court date.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Gurnee Police Department and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for their partnership and dedication during this operation.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
