Report: Police Program Helped Man Who Prostituted Teen

A newspaper report says a man who's serving 15 years in prison for running an underage prostitution operation did so out of an apartment that police helped him get through an anti-violence program.

Documents acquired by the (Peoria) Journal Star show that the police department's Don't Shoot initiative aided Matthew Petrakis obtaining the apartment in 2014.

The program focuses on gangs and other violent groups by warning ex-offenders on parole or probation that they are being monitored by police and offering social services to help those most likely to commit or become a victim of gun violence.

"(Petrakis) assisted in handing out information about (Peoria Community Against Violence peace walk). Showed leadership and initiative," police community services coordinator Krista Coleman wrote on Sept. 6, 2014, in the log of contacts with Petrakis she kept as part of the Don't Shoot program.

Petrakis asked for assistance in finding a home and a job in September 2014. Coleman later wrote a letter of recommendation to assist in his apartment search.

According to police reports, Petrakis met a 16-year-old runaway in March. Shortly afterwards he began posting online ads for massages. Up to six men a day would come to the apartment, or Petrakis would take her to houses in Peoria and locations in Chicago, the teen told police.

He was arrested in May 2015 and convicted last November of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Police chief Jerry Mitchell said Petrakis' case has not influenced the way the department handles individuals who seek assistance through Don't Shoot, and help offered remains beneficial for the ex-offenders and the community.

"Mr. Petrakis' case would be atypical, or the extreme, of the people that have sought assistance and have re-offended," Mitchell wrote. "Out of the 162 individuals who have sought assistance, approximately three have committed 'major' offenses."

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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