News

Illinois State Police arrest two Decatur men on human trafficking charges

The case began Oct. 23 when the Coles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a theft report and identified a woman as a possible victim of human trafficking. Photo: Metro Services


DECATUR, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Illinois State Police announced the arrest of two Decatur men accused of human trafficking and involuntary servitude following a multi-agency investigation.

State police said 36-year-old Bryan M. Slater and 31-year-old Jacob D. Miller were arrested on multiple felony charges, including aggravated involuntary servitude, trafficking for labor and promoting prostitution. Both men remain in custody at the Macon County Jail.

According to investigators, the case began Oct. 23 when the Coles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a theft report and identified a woman as a possible victim of human trafficking. The Illinois State Police Trafficking Enforcement Group later interviewed the woman and learned she had allegedly been abused, sexually assaulted and forced into prostitution.

Arrest warrants were issued Nov. 5. Miller was taken into custody Dec. 2 in Sangamon County, and Slater was arrested Dec. 17, also in Sangamon County, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Apprehension Task Force.

Illinois State Police emphasized that the charges are allegations and that both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Recent Headlines

14 hours ago in Entertainment

Actor Michael Keaton is named Man of the Year by Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals

Actor Michael Keaton has been named 2026 Man of the Year by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. The theater group, which dates to 1844 and claims to be the world's third-oldest still operating, announced Wednesday that Keaton will receive his Pudding Pot award at a celebratory roast Feb. 6.

20 hours ago in Entertainment

Trevor Noah to host Grammys for the sixth and final time

Trevor Noah will be hosting the Grammy Awards for the sixth consecutive year, but this time, it's being billed as a farewell gig. The Recording Academy announced Tuesday that the South African comedian is returning "one final time" for the Feb. 1 show, for which he will also serve as an executive producer.

20 hours ago in Entertainment

Actor Kiefer Sutherland arrested for allegedly assaulting a ride-hail driver, police say

Actor Kiefer Sutherland was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats early Monday morning after Los Angeles police say he assaulted a ride-hail driver.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Hamnet’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ take top honors at Golden Globes

Paul Thomas Anderson's ragtag revolutionary saga "One Battle After Another" took top honors at Sunday's 83rd Golden Globes in the comedy category, while Chloé Zhao's Shakespeare drama "Hamnet" pulled off an upset over "Sinners" to win best film, drama.

3 days ago in Entertainment

‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ tops box office for fourth straight week with newcomer ‘Primate’ second

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" kept on smoldering at the box office, taking the top spot for a fourth straight week on a relatively quiet weekend as the January doldrums began setting in for the industry.