Illinois State Police in Lincolnshire Capture 4 Males Who Thought They Were Meeting a Minor

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested four individuals during a two-day human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Lincolnshire area of Lake County on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25-26, 2025. The operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts by using an undercover agent posting online advertisements. All four defendants responded to these ads, engaged in text message conversations where the undercover agent explicitly stated she was underage, and each defendant continued to arrange to meet with the agent and proceeded to the agreed-upon location.

As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged:

• Timothy Hansen (57) of Lake Bluff, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony),
Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).

• Elijah Newell (40) of Chicago, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent
Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).

• Sean Powers (38) of Geneva, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony), Indecent
Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).

• Edas Romero-Chinchilla (32) of Round Lake Heights, IL – Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class
3 Felony), Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor).

All four defendants made their first court appearance on Thursday, February 27, 2025 where the State filed petitions to detain in each case.

Yesterday afternoon, Hansen and Newell had their detention hearings, and the Judge granted the State’s petitions to detain both defendants.

Powers and Romero-Chinchillo were scheduled to have their detention hearings Friday afternoon, February 28, at 1:30 p.m.

Under bail reform measures that became effective in late 2023, defendants charged with sex offenses such as those in this case are no longer able to use cash to secure release awaiting trial. Now in determining who is held prior to trial, judges assess whether the offender is a flight risk or a danger to the community.

This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by the Illinois State Police aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. ISP special agents, officers from Troops 3 and 6, ISP SWAT, ISP Analysts, North Central Narcotics Task Force, Intelligence Support Unit, and the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group partnered for the operation. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation. 

According to the Illinois State Police, human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will. ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations. The signs of human trafficking can be subtle; to learn more, please visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline.

“Our anti-trafficking prosecutors, law enforcement partners, and victim support providers are making our communities safer by holding anyone responsible who would exploit others. Their dedication sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Thank you to the Illinois State Police for this proactive investigation and for their continued partnership in protecting Lake County.”

— Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart

If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also emailISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov. 

^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^

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