ROCKFORD, Illinois – Illinois State Police detained a Delavan man as part of a multi-day human trafficking enforcement investigation, the department said on Saturday. He was one of six persons brought into custody.
According to Illinois State Police, Gerald Hochastatter, 71, was arrested and charged with indecent solicitation of a minor/aggravated sex, travel to meet a kid, and solicitation to meet a child under the age of five.
Illinois State Police reported the operation took place in the Rockford region on Wednesday, December 4, and Thursday, December 5. It aimed to discover persons who wanted to engage in commercial sex acts.
The Illinois State Police worked with the State Line Area Narcotics Team and the Blackhawk Area Task Force on the operation, with assistance from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking should call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. For more information, go to the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s website.
