Deronarte Norwood, 30, of Harvey, Illinois, has been indicted on federal sex trafficking charges for allegedly forcing a minor into prostitution and transporting her across state lines. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in Chicago, accuses Norwood of bringing the underage victim from Illinois to Wisconsin in May 2015 for commercial sex acts.
According to the two-count indictment, Norwood knowingly transported a minor with the intent to engage her in prostitution, a crime punishable by up to life in prison. The charges also include sex trafficking of a minor, carrying the same maximum penalty. Authorities say the exploitation was not isolated but part of a calculated effort to profit from the victim’s abuse.
Norwood was arrested in Waukegan late last night and appeared this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary M. Rowland in Chicago. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge Rowland ordered him held without bond pending a detention hearing scheduled for October 24, 2016, at 2:00 p.m.
The case was announced by Zachary T. Fardon, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Michael J. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Chicago office. The Lake County Gang Task Force, a joint operation involving federal and local law enforcement, provided significant investigative support leading to the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole M. Kim and Abigail Peluso are prosecuting the case. Federal authorities emphasized that the indictment is not evidence of guilt. Norwood is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted, sentencing will follow federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Victims or witnesses with information related to sexual exploitation are urged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678. The hotline operates 24/7 and provides confidential support to those affected by child trafficking and abuse.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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