The Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested one individual during an anti-human trafficking operation in the Bloomington area. On March 20, 2024, the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau conducted an operation focused on identifying individuals who compel others into the commercial sex industry through force fraud and coercion, while also offering resources to victims of human trafficking that are encountered.
As a result of the operation, 24-year-old Marcus D. Bender of Springfield, IL was arrested and charged with Involuntary Servitude (Class 4 Felony) and Promoting Prostitution (Class 4 Felony).
This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. Participating in the operation with ISP were the Bloomington Police Department, East Central Illinois Task Force, Task Force 6 personnel and Homeland Security Investigations. The McClean County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation.
Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will. ISP continues its multifaceted approach toward protecting those most vulnerable with its ongoing statewide human trafficking enforcement operations. The signs of human trafficking can be subtle; to learn more, please visit Recognizing the Signs | National Human Trafficking Hotline.
If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.
You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
***Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***
