Cook County sheriff: Sex sting netted 79 would-be 'johns'

The Cook County sheriff's office charged 79 would-be sex buyers - including one man who arrived via an Uber ride - during a nationwide sting conducted between Jan. 17 and Feb. 7, the sheriff's office said Tuesday in a news release.

Altogether the coalition of law enforcement agencies participating in the National Johns Suppression Initiative arrested 522 would-be sex buyers and 30 sex traffickers in 14 states.

In Cook County, sheriff's police say they offered 26 women protective and counseling services, and worked in partnership with Broadview, Lansing and Matteson police to arrest the 79 "johns."

"Sex trafficking continues to destroy countless lives, and this broad national movement should send a strong message to prospective johns that their 'hobby' is much more than a 'victimless' crime," said Sheriff Dart in the statement. "It's particularly meaningful that this sting culminated on the day of the Super Bowl, which unfortunately has emerged as a prominent haven for sex trafficking."