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Man convicted in 2014 Aurora police underage hotel sex sting

A 42-year-old man was convicted Tuesday of traveling to an Aurora hotel in December 2014 and paying to have sex with a minor.

Eric F. Ziemba, of Oswego, faces six to 30 years in prison after Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler convicted Ziemba of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, and grooming - all felonies.

Ziemba had waived his right to a jury trial and prosecutors presented evidence that on Dec. 2, 2014, he traveled from Oswego to an Aurora hotel to have sex with who he thought was a 15-year-old girl.

When Ziemba arrived, he met a person who he believed to be the girl's mother, paid $150 and was promptly arrested by Aurora police and officers from Homeland Security Investigations.

In all, eight people were arrested in the operation; six have been convicted and sentenced to prison or are awaiting sentencing, according to court records.

"Human trafficking, including child sex trafficking, is a serious problem that does exist in the United States, in our region and even in Chicago's suburbs," State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "Fortunately, law enforcement and governments at multiple levels are increasing their commitment to bring attention to the prevalence of child exploitation and to stopping it."

Ziemba's bail was revoked upon conviction and he will be sentenced Dec. 16. He also must register as a sex offender for 10 years after his release from prison.

Aurora police arrest 8 in Internet sting offering minors for sex

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