Four men have been charged with solicitation of a sexual act after the Lake County sheriff’s office participated in a “National Johns Suppression” operation in the northern suburbs.
On July 12 and Aug. 4, undercover officers in the sheriff’s Gang Task Force and Criminal Investigations Division set up meetings on a classified advertising website, according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
After offering money for sex acts, four men were arrested. The sheriff’s office identified them as:
- Jose M. Vargas, 39, of the 1100 block of South White Oak Lane in Waukegan;
- Henry D. Taylor, 40, of the 2200 block of Ezekiel Avenue in Zion;
- Salvador Hernandez, 33, of the 2200 block of Lewis Avenue in North Chicago; and
- Antioco Tlatenchi, 48, of the 1500 block of West Monroe Street in Waukegan
The sting was part of a nationwide operation specifically targeting customers of prostitutes, commonly called “Johns,” the sheriff’s office said. In five years, the operation has led to the arrests of more than 5,800 “Johns” and sex traffickers.
Tlatenchi is next scheduled to appear in court Aug. 18; Vargas and Taylor are scheduled for hearings on Aug. 22; and Hernandez is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 25, the sheriff’s office said.
“Prostitution is not a victimless crime, it often involves human trafficking and juvenile sex trafficking,” the statement said. “The Lake County sheriff’s office will continue to pursue those who choose to exchange money for sex.”
