Man Charged With Sex Trafficking of a Minor in Chicago Suburb

CHICAGO — A federal grand jury has indicted a man on sex trafficking charges for allegedly enticing a minor to engage in a commercial sex act in a Chicago suburb.

The two-count federal indictment charges KENNARD CAMERON, 38, of Chicago, with sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor.  According to the indictment, Cameron recruited and enticed the minor to engage in a commercial sex act in Lansing, Ill., on March 17, 2023.

Cameron was arrested last week.  U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz on Wednesday ordered Cameron to remain detained pending trial.

The indictment was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Robert W. “Wes” Wheeler, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Chang.

The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

Each charge in the indictment is punishable by a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.  The charge of sex trafficking of a minor also includes a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.  If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

If you believe you are a victim of sexual exploitation, you are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by logging on to www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.  The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.