Sex Trafficking Ring Busted in Milwaukee, Wis.

Stelio Kalkounos, a 51-year-old Milwaukee man, has been indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking a minor and producing child pornography. The indictment, unsealed after Kalkounos’ arrest in Hollywood, Florida, alleges that he recruited, enticed, and obtained a minor for commercial sex acts from July 16, 2023, to March 1, 2024.

The indictment also charges Kalkounos with using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the production of child pornography on November 20, 2023. If convicted, Kalkounos faces a minimum penalty of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison for sex trafficking, and a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 50 years in prison for producing child pornography.

Kalkounos was arrested at a hotel in Hollywood, Florida, and is currently being held at the Broward County Jail until he is transported to U.S. District Court in Madison for further proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Taylor Kraus is handling the prosecution.

The charges against Kalkounos were the result of an investigation by the FBI Madison Field Office, with assistance from the FBI Tampa and Miami Field Offices, and the Seminole Police Department in Florida. The FBI is asking anyone with information about Kalkounos to contact them in Milwaukee at 414-276-4684, option 7.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. A charge is merely an accusation, and a person named as defendant in an indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of human trafficking and the importance of continued efforts to combat this heinous crime. As the investigation and prosecution of Kalkounos continue, we are reminded of the devastating impact of sex trafficking on innocent victims and the need for a collective response to prevent such crimes.

In light of the severity of these charges, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Together, we can work to prevent human trafficking and bring perpetrators like Kalkounos to justice.