William McBeth, Sex Trafficking, Illinois 2015

CHICAGO – A federal grand jury has indicted a Chicago man for allegedly transporting a minor from Wisconsin to Illinois to engage in commercial sex acts.

William McBeth, also known as ‘Tony,’ 35, is charged with sex trafficking of a minor and transporting that victim from Wisconsin to Illinois for purposes of prostitution. The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Emmerson Buie, Jr., Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.

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. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

According to the indictment and a criminal complaint previously filed in the case, the minor victim was 15 years old in December 2015 when McBeth enticed her to engage in commercial sex acts in the Chicago area. McBeth transported her to various locations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs to engage in commercial sex acts, and on at least one occasion brought her from Wisconsin back to Illinois for that purpose, according to the charges.

The Chicago Police Department provided valuable assistance in the case. The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Petersen.

McBeth is currently in law enforcement custody. Arraignment in federal court in Chicago has not yet been scheduled.

For those who suspect sex trafficking or know someone who may be a victim, there are resources available. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children can be reached at www.missingkids.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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