CARBONDALE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau arrested six individuals during a two-day human trafficking enforcement operation in the Carbondale area late last week.

The operation was focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts.   

As a result of the operation, 28-year-old Marlin Kellum of Murphysboro, 46-year-old Charles Kemp of West Frankfort, 23-year-old Kyler McGee of Anna, 29-year-old Justin Phoenix of Shiloh, 35-year-old Scott Strudwick of Murphysboro, and 32-year-old Robert Wilson of Carbondale were each arrested and charged with Indecent Solicitation of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Traveling to Meet a Child (Class 3 Felony), and Solicitation to Meet a Child (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 Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Centralia Police Department, and Salem Police Department. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation and filed the above-mentioned charges.