January 09, 2025
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Plea deal possible for woman charged in St. Charles human trafficking

Felony charges still pending against the 5 charged in 2023 arrests

By Brenda Schory
St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan (second from left), with (from left) Elgin Police Commander Steve Bianchi, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser and Lt. Jim Draz of the Cook County Sheriff Department, announces the filing of charges for human trafficking-related offenses against multiple individuals during a press conference at the St. Charles Police Department on Thursday, June 20, 2023.

St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan (second from left), with (from left) Elgin Police Commander Steve Bianchi, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser and Lt. Jim Draz of the Cook County Sheriff Department, announces the filing of charges for human trafficking-related offenses against multiple individuals during a press conference at the St. Charles Police Department on Thursday, June 20, 2023. (Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com)

One of the five people charged in July 2023 with felony human trafficking, involuntary servitude and promoting prostitution in St. Charles could reach a plea agreement next month.

Martha P. Hurtado-Hernandez, 59, of Elgin, appeared before Circuit Judge David Kliment Wednesday.

“The state tended an offer and I need to review that offer with my client,” her attorney Miguel Miranda said. “If we can take a late February date for a possible disposition.”

Kliment granted Miranda’s request and set Feb 26 for the next date.

The case of Daniel Hurtado, 27, of Elgin, similarly charged, was continued to Feb. 5.

The case of Hector Briseno, 55, of Chicago, similarly charged, was also continued.

In July 2023, St. Charles police led the probe into breaking up a human trafficking syndicate, that included rescuing seven women who were being sex trafficked in brothels also located in South Elgin, Elgin, Hanover Park, Palatine and Chicago.

At a news conference back then, St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan and Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser described how a report of a brothel operating in a west side apartment in St. Charles led to a months-long investigation of a human trafficking organized crime syndicate.

At the time, Keegan said they served search warrants on all the locations, arrested four men and one woman and took seven women into protective custody. The women, all from South America, ranged in age from their early 20s to early 30s, and one was treated a local hospital, he said.

“They were brought into the United States for the sole purposes of being victimized and exploited,” Keegan had said then. “Some of these charges are Class X felonies. This sends a strong message to those contemplating similar behavior that this will not be tolerated in our communities, by law enforcement or prosecutors.”

The two others charged whose cases are still pending are Christian Hurtado, 29. and Rigoberto Parra, 47, of Aurora. Both are scheduled to appear in court Jan. 23, records show.

In addition to one count of involuntary servitude – a Class X felony – they were all charged with trafficking in persons and promoting prostitution.

The Class X felony is the most serious charge, punishable by six to 30 years in prison if convicted.

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