LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — Jose Puga, 51, of Wonder Lake, was arrested this week in connection with an alleged sex trafficking operation operating in Lake County. Puga has been charged with three counts of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, three counts of trafficking in persons, and six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Puga turned himself in to the Lake County Jail on Tuesday following the issuance of an arrest warrant. He is expected to appear for a detention hearing later the same day.
This arrest is linked to an investigation that began in 2019 when a 33-year-old Round Lake Beach woman was arrested for allegedly “pimping” a 15-year-old girl, whom she had previously had legal guardianship over. While the full scope of the sex trafficking operation remains unclear, authorities suggest that Puga’s arrest is part of a larger investigation.
Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg commented on the case, stating, “This case is yet another example of the outstanding results that can be achieved through the partnership between the Lake County Special Investigations Group and the FBI. While the investigation was lengthy, the relentless dedication of the investigators ensured that those responsible for victimizing this child were brought to justice.”
Authorities continue to work on the investigation to determine if additional suspects were involved in the trafficking operation. The Lake County Special Investigations Group and the FBI have been instrumental in uncovering the details of the case, which has shed light on the issue of minor sex trafficking in the area.
