11 men charged in Arlington Hts. prostitution stings

Arlington Heights police arrested 11 men this summer as part of a national initiative to crackdown on the demand for prostitution.

Nationwide, the "Johns Suppression Initiative" campaign led to the arrest of 961 would-be sex buyers or "Johns" and 71 pimps or traffickers, according to police.

Arlington Heights police conducted two separate prostitution stings at a motel in the area of Arlington Heights and Algonquin roads in July and August.

All of the arrestees were charged with solicitation of a sexual act, police said.

During a sting on July 24, police arrested Jose M. Gonzalez-Aguilar, 41, of Hanover Park; Mohammad K. Arifuddin, 34, of Naperville; Sabino P. Prestia, 39, of Elk Grove Village; Si Wook Jang, 43, of Elk Grove Village; and Kamran B. Sabir, 22, of Chicago, according to the release.

During a sting at the same motel on Aug. 14, police arrested Michael A. Spencer, 43, of Elgin; Paul L. Smith, 35, of Glendale Heights; Richard J. Dutch, 33, of Villa Park; Keith R. Thorson, 49, of Schaumburg,; Cristian Diaz, 22, of Mundelein; and Jose S. Sanchez, 48, of Wheaton.

Thorson also was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, police said.

In addition to posting bond, each offender's vehicle was towed and they had to pay a $1,000 impoundment fee, according to police.