Four Men Charged w/Solicitation Plead Guilty

Four men arrested earlier this year in Effingham County and charged with solicitation of a sexual act have pleaded guilty.

The men were arrested by Illinois State Police in January. ISP said the arrests were the result of an anti-human trafficking operation.

32-year-old Justin P. Covey of Irvin, Kentucky, 71-year-old David L. Hackett of Tuscola, 38-year-old Scott A. Grote of Centralia, and 50-year-old Thad D. White of Cowden were each charged with the solicitation count.

All four men were placed on two years' probation Wednesday, were fined, and must complete 30 hours of community service work. The four were directed to pay their fines by the end of May.

A fifth individual charged in the case, 38-year-old Daniel A. Bennett of Bethany, is still awaiting disposition of his case. Bennett is charged with indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor, and solicitation to meet a child. Bennett is next due in court on June 19.