Nine Central Illinois Men Arrested in FBI Springfield Operation, Charged with Attempted Enticement of a Child to Engage in Sexual Activity

PEORIA, Ill. – U.S. Attorney John Milhiser and FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Sean M. Cox announced that nine Central Illinois men were arrested over the weekend related to a FBI Springfield Operation. The men have been charged in separate criminal complaints with attempted enticement of a child to engage in sexual activity. The complaints were unsealed on Nov. 4, 2019, as each made their respective initial appearance in federal court in Peoria. Each was ordered detained pending hearings scheduled for today.

According to the affidavits filed in support of the complaints, each of the men allegedly used various social media applications to contact and engage with FBI online covert employees posing as minors under the age of 18 to make arrangements to meet the minor girl or boy with the intent to engage in sexual activity.

As the men arrived at or near the designated address, in the 1900 block of E. Knox St., in Peoria, Ill., they were arrested and taken into custody by FBI Springfield Special Agents; Illinois State Police; the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office; and, the Peoria Metropolitan Enforcement Group. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul B. Morris is representing the government in the case prosecutions.

The defendants charged with attempted enticement of a child are:

    Thomas R. Alt, 26, of the 1100 block of N. Deibe Rd., Peoria;

    Thomas Bauer, 35, of the 7000 block of N. 1750 East Rd., Bloomington;

    Jacob N. Beeney, 35, of the 200 block of N. Trivoli, Trivoli;

    Travis Koch, 38, of the 1400 block of Park St., Peoria;

    Patrick Lanan, 39, Lake Camelot Dr., Mapleton;

    Tyler D. Lee, 33, of the 100 block of Harrison E., Galesburg;

    Keith Madson, 35, of the 100 block Hemlock Terrace, Canton;

    Hector Martinez, 56, of the 4100 block of N. Chelsea, Peoria; and,

    Bernard Waibel, 55, of the 1600 block of NE Glendale, Peoria.

If convicted, for the offense of attempted enticement of a minor, each defendant faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint is merely an accusation; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.