Chicago man William Whitley, 60, is facing federal charges for sex trafficking after allegedly paying a 14-year-old girl for repeated sexual encounters. A criminal complaint unsealed today in federal court details how Whitley paid the minor between $60 and $150 per act during multiple meetings last year, constituting a predatory pattern of exploitation.
According to the complaint, Whitley not only paid the underage girl for sex but also took nude photographs of her and distributed the images by sending them via text message. The act of creating and transmitting such images forms the basis of a second federal charge: production of child pornography. Both counts carry severe mandatory minimum sentences under federal law.
Whitley was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, who ordered him held without bond. A detention hearing is scheduled for November 7, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. He remains in federal custody as the case proceeds.
The complaint identifies a woman referred to as “Individual A” as the intermediary who introduced Whitley to the minor victims. One victim was just 14 at the time of the abuse; another was 16 when she was brought to a party hosted by Individual A, where Whitley paid her for sexual acts. The gathering included older men and young runaway girls, authorities say, raising concerns about an organized exploitation ring.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Chicago office, with assistance from the Carol Stream Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Streicker, Elizabeth Pozolo, and Michelle Petersen. U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon and FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson announced the charges.
Whitley faces a statutory minimum of ten years in prison on the sex trafficking count, with a maximum of life. The child pornography charge carries a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30. The government reminds the public that a complaint is not evidence of guilt—Whitley is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of sexual exploitation is urged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
Related Federal Cases
- Suburban Woman Jailed 20 Years for Sex Trafficking 13-Year-Old · Illinois
- Teacher Charged with Enticing Minor for Sex · Illinois
- NY Man Admits to Filming Minor, Faces Decade in Prison · Illinois
- Chicago Man Accused of Exploiting Children · Illinois
- Chicago Man Scott Reskey, 61, Charged with Child Pornography Possession · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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