Illinois State Police lead human trafficking suppression operation in Troy
TROY – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested six individuals during a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Troy area of Madison County on April 23 and 24.
The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in sex acts with minors. As a result, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
- Brian P. Tilson, a 43-year-old White male from Highland
- Justin A. Kuehnel, a 41-year-old White male from Glen Carbon
- Kyle T. Altevogt, a 30-year-old White male from Panama
- Gregory L Robinson, a 34-year-old Black male from Fairview Heights
- James A. Walker, a 40-year-old White male from Effingham
- Ulises Mendieta-Galindo, a 36-year-old Hispanic male from O’Fallon
All suspects listed above were taken into custody and charged: Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), Grooming (Class 4 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 4 Felony).
This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. ISP special agents, officers from Troops 8, Zone 6, ISP SWAT, ISP Analysts, MEGSI, Intelligence Support Unit, and Troy Police Department partnered for the operation. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor or services against their will. ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations. The signs of human trafficking can be subtle; to learn more, please visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text to *233733.
For more information, visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also email [email protected].
The charges are not evidence against the defendants and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
