A Joliet man was taken into custody last week and faces severe charges involving sex trafficking, as confirmed by the Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. As reported by CBS Chicago, 39-year-old James Hardeman stands accused of trafficking a person for prostitution following an undercover sting operation by local authorities.
CBS Chicago details how investigators responding to an online advertisement met with a victim at a motel in Bridgeview last Wednesday. Here, an undercover investigator was offered sexual acts in exchange for cash. Hardeman, who was allegedly orchestrating the operation, was later found by officers stationed outside the same motel and was detained without further complication.
According to the information provided by FOX 32 Chicago, Hardeman's involvement extended beyond just facilitation. Since November of the previous year, he is said to have recruited the victim into prostitution, taken the money earned, and provided security during the encounters with clients. Additionally, he seemingly had control over the room keys, effectively keeping the victim under involuntary solitude for the sake of financial gain.
The victim has been offered support from the Sheriff's Police Victim Support Services, a unit focused on aiding those affected by trafficking and domestic violence, as per CBS Chicago.
