A Park Forest Police Department and FBI joint investigation has led to two counts of Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor being filed against a 30-year-old Park Forest man.
On Monday August 11, 2014, Park Forest Police acted on a lead regarding a missing 15-year-old Chicago girl who was reported to be at a residence on the 100 block of Apple Lane in Park Forest. Although the occupant of that house, Joshua Jackson, initially denied that the juvenile was present, repeated visits by police revealed that she was in-fact inside the house. Based on an interview with that juvenile, as well as the interview of a 15-year-old DeKalb girl, police executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence and at Jackson’s parents’ residence on the 100 block of Apple Court. Joshua A. Jackson, age 30, of 8 Apple Lane, was then taken into custody for investigation related to these missing juveniles.
Park Forest Police, working closely with Special Agents from the FBI’s Chicago Office, South Resident Agency in Orland Park, and members of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, continued the investigation, which revealed that the juveniles had met Jackson online via social media and were then reported to have been lured to Jackson’s residence and forced into prostitution. The acts of prostitution are alleged to have occurred primarily at south suburban motels.
On August 14, 2014, charges were approved against Joshua Jackson, who is currently charged with two counts of Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor, each charge being a Class X felony. He is being held on $150,000.00 bond. Additional charges are expected in the case.
While the victims in this case were not from the Park Forest area, the Park Forest Police Department places the protection of juveniles among its highest priorities, and will continue its investigation to determine if any other victims or offenders are involved.