Human trafficking case leads to multiple arrests at Carbondale hotel

JACKSON COUNTY — Six men were arrested this week at a Carbondale hotel during a two-day anti-human trafficking operation similar to the show “Catch a Predator.”

According to Jackson County court records, Justin Phoenix, 29, of Scott Air Force Base; Marlin Kellum, 29, of Marion; Robert Wilson, 32, of Carbondale; Charles Kemp, 46, of Frankfurt; Scott Strudwick, 35, of Murphysboro; and Kyler McGhee, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, were all arrested Thursday.

All six men were charged with a Class 3 felony of traveling to meet a minor and at least one Class 4 felony of indecent solicitation of a child over the Internet.

Kellum is also charged with misdemeanor solicitation of a minor, as are Kemp, McGhee, Phoenix and Strudwick. Strudwick also faces a Class 3 felony charge for possession of methamphetamine. Judge Michael Fiello ruled Friday that the charges constituted custodial offenses and ordered all six defendants to remain in the Jackson County Jail while awaiting trial.

Jackson County State's Attorney Joseph Cervantez points out that human trafficking can happen anywhere — even here — which means you can be arrested anywhere, too. He says the Highway 13 corridor to Carbondale is a big factor in this type of activity.

According to Cervantez, truancy is a major factor in human trafficking, as is most crimes. He notes that lack of skills often leads to criminal activities aimed at making money, which can include drugs, theft, guns and sex. Statistics show, he said, that lack of a high school diploma significantly increases the likelihood that a person will be involved in criminal activity.

The six men allegedly believed they were contacting a minor on various social media platforms. Cervantez says the incidents were audio and video recorded and an exchange took place in each case.

The investigation was carried out by the Office for Combating Human Trafficking of the

Illinois State Police Criminal Investigation Division.