Anti-Human Trafficking Operation Lands Five in Jail

(Effingham) — Five people are facing charges following an Illinois State Police anti-human trafficking operation in the Effingham area. According to ISP, the operation was part of a “multifaceted approach” aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. The operation took place Thursday, focusing on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts. Justin Covey of Irvine, Ky, Scott Grote of Centralia, Ill, David Hackett of Tuscola, Ill, and Thad White, of Cowden, Ill. are facing charges of Solicitation of a Sexual Act. The fifth person arrested, Daniel Bennett, of Bethany, Ill. was charged with indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child, and solicitation to meet a child. The ISP was joined by the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Central Illinois Enforcement Group, Effingham Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.