An undercover operation led to the arrest of a west suburban Broadview man who allegedly promoted prostitution of a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing several months ago.



James R. Taylor, 26, was arrested Jan. 8 after investigators responded to a “female escort” advertisement found on the website Backpage.com, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Undercover officers set up a date with the girl at a hotel along Roosevelt Road in Broadview.



When the undercover officer entered the hotel room, the teen offered sex acts for money, according to investigators. That’s when the officer identified himself and took the girl into custody to offer supportive services.



As officers questioned the 16-year-old girl, Taylor began knocking on the hotel door and attempting to enter the room, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s officers then took Taylor into custody.



Investigators found that Taylor had been sexually trafficking the girl and keeping the money earned from her prostitution, according to the sheriff’s office. He was charged with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, promoting prostitution of a minor, and trafficking for benefits.



The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services took custody of the 16-year-old girl, where she is currently receiving therapeutic treatment and counseling. The mother of the teen has since been notified of the discovery of her daughter, according the the Cook County Sheriff's office