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Illinois State Police arrest two Decatur men on human trafficking charges

The case began Oct. 23 when the Coles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a theft report and identified a woman as a possible victim of human trafficking. Photo: Metro Services


DECATUR, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois State Police announced the arrest of two Decatur men accused of human trafficking and involuntary servitude following a multi-agency investigation.

State police said 36-year-old Bryan M. Slater and 31-year-old Jacob D. Miller were arrested on multiple felony charges, including aggravated involuntary servitude, trafficking for labor and promoting prostitution. Both men remain in custody at the Macon County Jail.

According to investigators, the case began Oct. 23 when the Coles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a theft report and identified a woman as a possible victim of human trafficking. The Illinois State Police Trafficking Enforcement Group later interviewed the woman and learned she had allegedly been abused, sexually assaulted and forced into prostitution.

Arrest warrants were issued Nov. 5. Miller was taken into custody Dec. 2 in Sangamon County, and Slater was arrested Dec. 17, also in Sangamon County, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force.

Illinois State Police emphasized that the charges are allegations and that both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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