8 men charged with sex crimes against juveniles following Illinois sting operation
AURORA, Ill. — Eight men were indicted in an Illinois county court for sex crimes against children following a hotel sting conducted by federal and local investigators.
These charges resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Aurora (Illinois) Police Department’s Special Operations Group.
During the six-week sting operation, authorities placed targeted ads for sexual services in an online publication known to promote prostitution-related activities. When the defendants called the telephone numbers listed, it was made clear that the services were being offered by underage girls. Arrangements were then made for the men to meet the girls at an Aurora hotel. They were taken into custody when they arrived.
“Predators will use any means available — including classified ads on the Internet — to victimize innocent children for their perverse gratification," said Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of HSI Chicago. "Words cannot describe the harm that these criminals inflict on their victims. Through partnerships with state, local and other federal law enforcement agencies, HSI will continue to vigorously pursue those who seek to sexually exploit children.”
“These alleged crimes shake our community to its very core,” said Aurora Chief of Police Greg Thomas. “The human trafficking of children is deplorable and has absolutely no place in a civilized society. We will continue to work tirelessly with law enforcement at all levels to eradicate this disgusting behavior and do everything we can to protect our children.”
The following eight men are charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, and grooming:
- Andres Alonso, 22, Aurora, Illinois,
- Josh Todd Archer, 32, Aurora, Illinois,
- Ruryk Michel, 38, North Aurora, Illinois,
- Juan Morales, 26, Chicago, Illinois,
- Marek Gaciarz, 32 Chicago, Illinois,
- Eric Francis Ziemba, 40, Oswego, Illinois,
- Nabeel Afsar, 21, Hanover Park, Illinois,
- Shane R. Lewis, 35, Kennet Square, Pennsylvania.
The charges are all Class-X felonies which call for enhanced penalties upon conviction.
The vehicles the men were driving were impounded and each had to pay $500 to retrieve them. Police are not disclosing the location of the sting to protect the integrity of future operations.
The public is reminded that the charges are not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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