Cook County 'John' sting operation: 25 arrested

Authorities in Cook County arrested 25 men in Hillside as part of an undercover sting operation aimed at cracking down on the solicitation of prostitution.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit conducted the operation, issuing ordinance violations to those arrested.

What we know:

Among those taken into custody was 39-year-old Bernard Norman Meggie, who was allegedly carrying a loaded handgun without having a FOID card or Concealed Carry License.

Investigators also found about two kilos of suspected cannabis and drug paraphernalia in his possession.

Meggie now faces multiple charges, including Armed Violence, Possession of a Firearm/Repeat Offender, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and drug-related offenses.

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This latest sting is part of a broader effort to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in Cook County, according to the sheriff's office.

Since 2022, authorities have arrested and fined more than 400 individuals as part of their ongoing crackdown.

What we don't know:

Officials have not released the names of the other 24 men arrested.

What's next:

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office says it will continue its efforts to target individuals engaging in solicitation of prostitution.

Anyone with information about human trafficking or related crimes is encouraged to contact law enforcement.

The Source: The information in this article was provided by the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

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