Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged Timothy Bennett, a 39-year-old man from Belvidere, Illinois, and Crystal Houston, a 40-year-old woman from Shannon, Illinois, in connection with the alleged trafficking of three young adults in the Rockford area. The charges include involuntary servitude and money laundering.
“It is truly heinous that anyone would abuse the trust of young people to instead force them into sex work,” Raoul said. “I commend our law enforcement partners for their hard work during the investigation to ensure we can help the victims receive the justice they need to begin to heal from the horrific trauma they experienced.”
Bennett faces six counts of involuntary servitude and one count of money laundering as Class X felonies, which carry potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison. He is also charged with 12 counts of trafficking in persons and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (Class 1 felonies), two counts of money laundering (Class 2 felonies), two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering (Class 3 felonies), as well as six counts of involuntary servitude and three counts of promoting prostitution (Class 4 felonies). Bennett is currently held at Winnebago County Jail and is scheduled for a court appearance on March 19.
Houston was charged with similar offenses: three counts of involuntary servitude and one count of money laundering (Class X felonies); six counts of trafficking in persons and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (Class 1 felonies); two counts each for money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering; plus three additional counts of involuntary servitude (Class 4 felonies). Houston is currently incarcerated for an unrelated case within the Illinois Department of Corrections. Her next court date regarding these charges is April 8 at Winnebago County Circuit Court.
Sentencing decisions will be made by the court.
The investigation was supported by local law enforcement agencies including the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Rockford Police Department, and Freeport Police Department.
According to allegations by Raoul’s office, Houston met Bennett in 2019 while he was serving time at Winnebago County Jail for an unrelated matter. Between May 2019 and May 2023, it is alleged that they worked together to groom three young adults who lived with Houston before forcing them into prostitution through threats. Profits estimated at $30,000 were reportedly laundered via the jail commissary system.
The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Deputy Bureau Chief Megan McGuire Bachman along with Assistant Attorneys General Kiran Gupta and Judy Shammo are prosecuting this case on behalf of Raoul’s Criminal Prosecution Bureau.
The Illinois Attorney General has historically advocated for vulnerable groups such as workers, immigrants, seniors, and consumers throughout Illinois. The office collaborates with law enforcement agencies statewide to support crime victims and promote open government practices. Additionally, it provides services like complaint filing related to consumer fraud or civil rights issues.