Madison County, IL (Effingham Radio) — Six men have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies in connection to a human trafficking suppression operation conducted by the Illinois State Police (ISP) in Troy, Illinois, on April 23–24, 2025.
The two-day undercover operation focused on identifying individuals attempting to engage in sex acts with minors. It was led by the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau with assistance from local and state law enforcement units, including ISP SWAT, Troop 8, Zone 6, MEGSI, Intelligence Support Unit, and the Troy Police Department.
According to authorities, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
Brian P. Tilson, 43, of Highland, IL
Justin A. Kuehnel, 41, of Glen Carbon, IL
Kyle T. Altevogt, 30, of Panama, IL
Gregory L. Robinson, 34, of Fairview Heights, IL
James A. Walker, 40, of Effingham, IL
Ulises Mendieta-Galindo, 36, of O’Fallon, IL
All suspects face the following charges:
Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony)
Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony)
Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony)
Grooming (Class 4 Felony)
Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 4 Felony)
The operation was supported by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office and is part of ISP’s ongoing statewide initiative to curb human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations across Illinois.
Human trafficking, as defined by law enforcement, involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel individuals into commercial sex acts or forced labor against their will. Efforts such as these are meant to disrupt the demand side of these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
For more information on how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, visit the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
