Feds Charge Harvey Man with Sex Trafficking of a Minor

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

South Suburban Man Charged with Transporting a Minor from Illinois to Wisconsin to Engage in Prostitution

CHICAGO — A federal grand jury in Chicago has indicted a south suburban man on sex trafficking charges for allegedly bringing a minor to Wisconsin to engage in prostitution.

DERONARTE NORWOOD, 30, of Harvey, forced the minor to engage in a commercial sex act, according to the indictment.  In May 2015 he brought the minor to Wisconsin from Illinois for the purpose of engaging in prostitution, the indictment states.

Norwood was arrested last night in Waukegan. 

He pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in Chicago this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary M. Rowland.  Judge Rowland ordered Norwood held in custody until a detention hearing on Oct. 24, 2016, at 2:00 p.m.

The two-count indictment charges Norwood with sex trafficking and knowingly transporting a minor to engage in prostitution.  Both counts are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Zachary Fardon

Zachary Fardon

The indictment was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Substantial assistance was provided by the Lake County Gang Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional task force with federal and local law enforcement members.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole M. Kim and Abigail Peluso.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.  The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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