COOK COUNTY, IL – A 39-year-old man appeared in court yesterday after an undercover investigation by the Sheriff’s Police Vice Unit determined he was trafficking an individual for prostitution, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
On Wed. March 26, Vice investigators responded to an advertisement on a website known for hosting commercial sex solicitations. An undercover investigator met with the victim at a motel located in Bridgeview where the victim agreed to engage in sexual acts in exchange for cash. Following the agreement, additional investigators entered the room and learned the victim was being trafficked by James Hardeman, of the 2200 block of Tamarack Drive in Joliet, who was waiting outside near the motel room. Investigators located Hardeman and took him into custody without incident.
Further investigation at Sheriff’s Police Headquarters revealed that Hardeman recruited the victim into commercial sex work last November and has been keeping the proceeds, maintained possession of room keys, and provided security while the victim was inside the rooms with Johns.
The victim was subsequently connected with the Sheriff’s Police Victim Support Services team, a survivor-led unit that works with individuals involved in trafficking and domestic violence situations to provide them resources and support they need to move forward with their lives.
On Thursday, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges of one count each of Trafficking for Labor/Recruits, Trafficking for Labor/Benefits, Involuntary Solitude Causing Financial Harm, and Promoting Prostitution.
Hardeman appeared for his initial court hearing yesterday at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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