In 2024, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Trafficking Enforcement Bureau conducted seven human trafficking demand suppression operations across Illinois, resulting in 31 arrests and 91 criminal charges, according to authorities.
The Trafficking Enforcement Bureau focuses on two operations: demand suppression (the buyers) and victim recovery operations. In Effingham, the Bureau focused on demand suppression.
The Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Central Illinois Enforcement Group, Effingham Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Department and Homeland Security Investigations assisted the ISP during their operations.
Some charges included indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child, grooming and solicitation to meet a child, all of which are felonies.
In Effingham on Jan. 25, 2024, five people were arrested and charged with seven total crimes:
Daniel A. Bennett, 38, Bethany, Illinois – Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Traveling to Meet a Child, Solicitation to Meet a Child.
Justin P. Covey, 32, Irvine, Kentucky – Solicitation of a Sexual Act.
Scott A. Grote, 38, Centralia, Illinois – Solicitation of a Sexual Act.
David L. Hackett, 71, Tuscola, Illinois – Solicitation of a Sexual Act.
Thad D. White, 50, Cowden, Illinois – Solicitation of a Sexual Act.
Solicitation of a sexual act is a class A misdemeanor, while Bennett’s charges are all felonies.
All are serving two years of probation. They will all also complete counseling recommended by the Probation Department, according to court records.
Covey, Hackett and White will complete 30 hours of public service work; Grote completed his on Feb. 4, 2025. Grote, Hackett and White each paid a total of $1,089, while Covey paid $1,064. Hackett does not need to inform his probation officer or receive the court’s consent to leave Illinois, while Bennett, Covey, Grote and White do.
Bennett has to complete 50 hours of public service work, complete sex offender therapy as recommended by his prior evaluation and spend 180 days in the Effingham County jail. His jail time has been stayed pending his successful completion of probation. He also had to submit DNA and pay $3,664.
The Effingham 57/70 Task Force organization aims to educate the community to help stop human trafficking. By increasing awareness and reporting unusual situations, people can help stop it.
“We really think that education is where we can have the biggest impact on our community,” said 57/70 Task Force board chair Ann Deters.
“What makes somebody susceptible to becoming a victim of that? It’s kids who don’t feel like they don’t have a great home life,” said 57/70 Task Force volunteer Norma Lansing. “They don’t feel like they’re loved. So one of the things that traffickers do is say, ‘I love you. I’m helpful. I care about you.’ They draw them in by that kind of connection of somebody who they feel is going to really care about them.”
According to a March 18 ISP press release, human trafficking is one of the most underreported and under-identified crimes.
“Human trafficking can come in many forms, from commercial sex acts to forced labor,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Because human trafficking has many faces and can happen almost anywhere, it is important to have a comprehensive, statewide trauma-informed response that encompasses those who may come in contact with individuals who are being trafficked, such as law enforcement, child services, case workers, treatment providers, and others.”
To report suspicious situations or get help, call the National Human Trafficking hotline at 1-888-373-7888, Effingham Police Department at 217-347-0774 or federal law enforcement at 1-866-347-2423. More information about the 57/70 Task Force can be found on their website: 5770taskforce.org.
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