Delavan Man Arrested in Multi-Day Human Trafficking Investigation
Illinois State Police have arrested a 71-year-old man from Delavan as part of an ongoing human trafficking enforcement operation, authorities announced on Saturday. Gerald Hochastatter was one of six individuals taken into custody during the multi-day investigation.
Hochastatter faces multiple charges, including indecent solicitation of a minor, aggravated sexual assault, traveling to meet a minor, and solicitation to meet a child under the age of five.
The operation, which took place in the Rockford area on December 4 and 5, was designed to identify individuals attempting to engage in commercial sex acts. Illinois State Police partnered with the State Line Area Narcotics Team and the Blackhawk Area Task Force for the operation, with additional support from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Authorities are urging anyone who suspects human trafficking activity to report it by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or texting 233733. More information can be found on the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s website.