Categories: Chicago

Man Pleads Guilty of Sexual Conduct with Minor

28-year-old Joseph L. Hughes, aka “Joe King” of St. Louis, Missouri, has pleaded guilty to enticement of a minor and two counts of traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a 14-year-old girl in St. Clair County, Illinois. Hughes committed those offenses between Nov. 21, 2018, and Dec.8, 2018.

Hughes pleaded that he used Facebook Messenger to text with the girl. He used the name “Joe King” on the app and arranged visits to her home in Belleville, Illinois, to have sex. Hughes traveled from Missouri to the girl’s home on two occasions-Nov. 24 and Dec. 8, 2018. On both occasions, Hughes engaged in illicit sexual conduct with the girl.

Hughes had admitted that the girl had told her age right away. He also said that he knew he was breaking the law. On Jan. 12, 2021, Hughes sentencing is scheduled in East St. Louis. He is facing up to years in prison for count one (enticement of a minor) and up to 30 years in prison on counts two and three (travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct).

All the counts carry a fine up to $250,000 and also a possible lifetime term of supervised release. Belleville Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, the St. Louis County Police Department, and the FBI investigated the case. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angela Scott.

Ivan Cease

Senior editor of the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

11 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

11 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

12 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

12 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

12 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.