From the Lake County State’s Attorney:

Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Charges Four Men After Undercover Child Exploitation Operation 

(Lake County, IL) The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed charges against four defendants following an undercover operation conducted by the Illinois State Police, in collaboration with LCSAO anti-trafficking prosecutors, targeting individuals seeking to engage in illegal sexual activity with minors. 

Timothy Hansen, 57,Edas Romero-Chinchillo, 32, Sean Powers, 38, and Elijah Newell, 40, were all charged with: 

• One count of Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 felony) 

• One count of Indecent Solicitation (Class 3 felony) 

• One count of Solicitation to Meet a Minor (Class 4 felony) 

• One count of Solicitation of a Sexual Activity (Class A misdemeanor) 

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric RInehart stated, “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.” 

The ISP operation involved 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. 

All four defendants made their first court appearance on Thursday, February 27, 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 are scheduled to have their detention hearings this 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.