Union Grove Man Indicted for Human Trafficking
Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 6, 2026, a two-count federal indictment was returned that charged Hector L. Duarte (age 35) of Union Grove, Wisconsin, with sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1591(a)(1) and 1591(b)(1), and interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2421(a).
According to the indictment, Duarte is alleged to have used force, threats of force, and fraud to cause an adult victim to engage in commercial sex acts between approximately May 31, 2025, and June 25, 2025, in the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Northern District of Illinois.
If convicted of sex trafficking, Duarte faces a mandatory minimum 15 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment. If convicted of interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution, he faces a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment. He may also be fined up to $250,000 on each count.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Milwaukee Field Office and the Cudahy Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abbey M. Marzick.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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