Pre-Trial Release Denied for Chicago Man Charged With Human Trafficking/Promoting Prostitution
Heggie Carr, of the 7000 block of Cregier Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning facing two counts of Involuntary Servitude (Class X Felony) and two counts of Trafficking in Persons for Labor (Class 1 Felony). Carr was denied pre-trial release, and will remain in custody for the time being.
“THE CHARGES AGAINST MR. CARR ARE IN A WORD, APPALLING,” BERLIN SAID. “THE ALLEGED EXPLOITATION OF THESE YOUNG VICTIMS, WHO WERE FORCED INTO THE SEX TRADE AND TRAPPED THERE BY THE USE OF DEADLY THREATS, SHOULD SEND A CHILL DOWN THE SPINE OF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US.”
LOMBARD - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly announced today that Judge George Ford granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a Chicago man charged with trafficking young women into prostitution. Heggie Carr, of the 7000 block of Cregier Avenue, appeared in First Appearance Court this morning facing two counts of Involuntary Servitude (Class X Felony) and two counts of Trafficking in Persons for Labor (Class 1 Felony).
In late September 2023, the Illinois State Police received information regarding an eighteen-year-old woman who allegedly is the victim of trafficking by Carr. Through the course of their investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Carr placed online ads offering encounters with women at, among other locations, the Sonesta Suites ES located in Lombard. On November 29, 2023, undercover officers arranged for services with two women at the Sonesta Suites ES through an online ad posted by Carr. It is alleged that Carr was present at the scheduled time of the appointment. It is further alleged that Carr left the hotel upon the officer’s arrival, at which time he was taken into custody. Further investigation found that Carr allegedly directed the victims to prostitute themselves and then give him all the proceeds. It is alleged that Carr forced the women into prostitution every day, threatened their lives as well as the lives of their family members if they did not do as they were told, and beat at least one of the victims on a daily basis.
“The charges against Mr. Carr are in a word, appalling,” Berlin said. “The alleged exploitation of these young victims, who were forced into the sex trade and trapped there by the use of deadly threats, should send a chill down the spine of each and every one of us. I commend the Illinois State Police, particularly Zone 1 Violent Crimes Investigations, for their truly outstanding work on this case as well as their ongoing efforts in going after those who would force young women into a life of prostitution for their own personal gain. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jennifer Lindt, James Scaliatine and Michael Fisher for their efforts on this very sad and disturbing case.”
Carr’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 11, 2023, for status in of Judge Daniel Guerin. If found guilty, Carr faces a sentence of up to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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