The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that six men have been arrested and charged as the result of a 15-month-long investigation into prostitution occurring at brothels operating in Aurora, West Dundee, Rockford, and South Elgin.
On the morning of July 16, multiple law enforcement agencies led by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office’s Human Exploitation Unit conducted a coordinated arrest operation across Kane, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, and Cook Counties, resulting in the arrests of all six defendants.
The defendants face charges including promoting prostitution for profit, promoting prostitution near a school, and forgery. According to the criminal complaint, the defendants knowingly advanced and profited from prostitution by arranging clients and controlling or exercising control over the use of residential apartments at the following locations:
•500 block of Ashland Avenue, Aurora;
•800 block of Village Quarter Road, West Dundee;
•800 block of Kishwaukee Street, Rockford;
•300 block of Ann Street, South Elgin.
The complaint further alleges that multiple defendants committed forgery by using false names on rental leases associated with some of the brothels.
All six defendants are currently in custody. Detention hearings are scheduled for Thursday, July 23, at 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 313 of the Kane County Judicial Center.
The investigation and arrest operation were led by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation Unit in partnership with the Aurora Police Department, Belvidere Police Department, DHS Homeland Security Investigations, Elgin Police Department, Hanover Park Police Department, Illinois State Police, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, Rockford Police Department, South Elgin Police Department, West Chicago Police Department, West Dundee Police Department, and Woodstock Police Department.
The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation Unit, launched in January 2025, is a specialized team dedicated to investigating and prosecuting human trafficking offenses, including sex and labor trafficking.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said: “When we created the State’s Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation Unit, the hope was that we could investigate and prosecute those that commit sex or labor trafficking. The charges allege that these defendants promoted prostitution for profit at multiple locations, including near a school. These defendants were taking advantage of vulnerable women and exploiting them for financial gain. I am extremely proud of the work of our investigators, advocates and prosecutors that spent countless hours bringing these individuals to justice and saving victims. Further, I thank our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners for their collaboration throughout this 15-month investigation. The HEU and our partnership with law enforcement were instrumental in bringing these charges.”
Kane County Undersheriff Amy Johnson said: “Today’s coordinated enforcement effort reflects our unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals in our communities. Working alongside the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners, these investigations demonstrate the strength of collaboration across jurisdictions. Human trafficking has no boundaries, and neither should our response. We remain committed to holding offenders accountable while supporting victims.”
Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas said: “This investigation shows what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal agencies work together to protect vulnerable people and hold accountable those who profit from their exploitation. The Aurora Police Department is proud to stand alongside the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners in this effort. Complex investigations of this magnitude require an incredible investment of time, resources, and investigative work, along with sustained coordination among agencies across multiple jurisdictions. This work does not end with a single investigation or operation. Together, we will continue pursuing those who exploit others, holding them accountable and ensuring victims of human trafficking are recognized, supported and connected with the resources they need to move forward.”
Elgin Chief of Police Ana Lalley said: “I would like to thank the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office for its ongoing partnership with the Elgin Police Department, and I appreciate their efforts.”
West Dundee Chief of Police Shawn Green said: “This operation was a perfect example of the outstanding things that can be accomplished through multijurisdictional collaboration in law enforcement, and we are grateful for the successful outcome.”
The defendants and charges are as follows:
•Abisahit Del Angel Hernandez: Age 40 (d.o.b. 3/24/1986), of the 600 block of Leah Lane, Woodstock, Illinois. Case No. 2026CF1688.
Promote Prostitution Advance at School, Class 3 felony
Forgery-Makes or Alters Document, Class 3 felony
•Gustavo A. Perez Cardoza: Age 35 (d.o.b. 1/14/1991), of the 400 block of Jefferson Street, Aurora, Illinois. Case No. 2026CF1689.
Promote Prostitution Advance, Class 4 felony
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange, Class 4 felony
•Hugo F. Jaimes-Ramirez: Age 43 (d.o.b. 5/30/1983), of the 400 block of Jefferson Street, Aurora, Illinois. Case No. 2026CF1690.
Promote Prostitution Advance at School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange Near School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Forgery-Makes or Alters Document, Class 3 felony
Promote Prostitution Advance, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange, Class 4 felony (2 Counts)
•Kenneth E. Figueroa Castro: Age 29 (d.o.b. 2/25/1997), of the 1000 block of 5th Street, Belvidere, Illinois. Case No. 2026CF1691.
Forgery-Makes or Alters Document, Class 3 felony (3 counts)
Promote Prostitution Advance at School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange Near School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution Advance, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
•Delfino Torres-Navarro: Age 59 (d.o.b. 12/24/1966), of the 6600 block of Pinetree Street, Hanover Park, Illinois. Case No. 2026CF1692.
Promote Prostitution Advance at School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange Near School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution Advance, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
•Ricardo Hernandez Lux: Age 33 (d.o.b. 1/23/1992), of the 600 block of Congdon Ave, Elgin, Illinois. Case No. 2026CF1694.
Promote Prostitution Advance at School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange Near School, Class 3 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution Advance, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
Promote Prostitution for Profit Arrange, Class 4 felony (2 counts)
The charges against the defendants are not proof of guilt. They are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office