First conviction under new trafficking law

A Chicago man arrested inside an Elk Grove Village motel in August became the first person convicted under new human trafficking laws, the Cook County state's attorney's office announced Thursday.

Troy Bonaparte, 45, who had previously been arrested 55 times, was found inside an Elk Grove Village motel in August with money and computer equipment used to operate a prostitution ring through coercion, according to police.

Sheriff's police responded to a suspicious advertisement posted on the “Escorts” section of the website Backpage.com, which led them to the motel room, authorities said.

Two women were inside the room with Bonaparte when police arrived and a third was nearby, according to police.

Bonaparte was convicted on charges of involuntary servitude, trafficking in persons for forced labor or services and pandering. He faces up to 30 years in prison.

The state's attorney's Human Trafficking Unit was created in 2010.