Libertyville Man Accused Of Running Brothel

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A 34-year-old Libertyville man faces felony charges for allegations he helped run a brothel.

Authorities took Antonio Sanchez Cortes, of the 700 block of South Milwaukee Avenue, into custody after a traffic stop in Libertyville last month, according to a news release from the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

He is accused of operating the brothel out of an apartment in the 4800 block of West Roscoe Street in Chicago. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigations team and the Cook County Sheriff's Office searched the apartment on March 4, according to the sheriff's office news release.

Investigators "found items consistent with the operation of a brothel including financial items and documents," according to the news release. They also recovered two guns, including a fully-automatic Glock.

Two women were also found within the apartment and were offered services from victim advocate specialists with the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Police also found the brothel's doorman, Joseangel Villagran, 22, in the apartment and took him into custody, according to authorities. Villagren and Sanchez Cortes both face promoting prostitution charges. Villagren also has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to the news release.

Both men appeared for bond hearings on March 5. Villagren's bail was set at $30,000 and Sanchez Cortez's bail was set at $20,000.