On January 13th and February 9th, 2017 the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force went undercover, arresting nine men in a continued campaign to suppress the demand for purchased sex.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force joined a coalition of federal and local law enforcement agencies in a nationwide operation which specifically targeted customers of prostitutes known as “Johns.”
This two-day movement was a web-based operation and utilized a classified advertising website which is regularly used as a medium for prostitution. When the “Johns” arrived and offered money to the undercover detectives for sexual acts, they were arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail.
Over the past five years, this nationwide effort has led to the arrests of more than 6,000 total “Johns” and sex traffickers.
Prostitution is not a victimless crime, it often involves human trafficking and juvenile sex trafficking. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue to pursue those who choose to exchange money for sex.
The following individuals were arrested after offering money in exchange for sex (solicitation of a sexual act) at a southern Lake County Hotel:
Arrested on January 13th:
Erik L. Jorgensen, 40, of the 1800 block of Amberley Court, Lake Forest
Next Court Date: March 2, 2017, 9:00AM, Courtroom C-404
Evelio Garcia-Caniz, 34, of the 2700 block of North Rutherford Ave, Chicago
Next Court Date: March 6, 2017, 9:00AM, Courtroom C-403
Arrested on February 9th (court dates pending):
Matthew R. Scanlon, 47, of the 6300 block of Crossland Boulevard, Gurnee
*Charged with Solicitation of a Sexual Act AND Resisting Arrest*
Michael Pacholczak, 33, of the 700 block of Hillside Drive, Mundelein
Francisco J. Castaneda, 43, of the 700 block of Court of Birch, Vernon Hills
Dimitrios Samaras, 42, of the 26200 block of North Hickory Ave, Unincorporated Mundelein
Antonio M. Knight, 23, of the 100 block of Brandywine Court, Vernon Hills
Gustavo R. Valdez, 38, of the 1300 block of Quaker Lane, Prospect Heights
Oscar Rivera-Maldonado, 20, of the 200 block of South Jackson Street, Waukegan
Sheriff Curran reminds the public the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.