Adriane Moen, a single mother facing financial challenges, encountered a man on a dating app, sparking what she thought was a romantic connection. Court documents reveal that the relationship took a dark turn. The man from Chicago introduced Moen to Backpage, a site linked with sex work before its 2018 closure by the FBI.
Moen alleged in a federal civil lawsuit filed in Illinois that the man became abusive, forcing her into sex work and taking up to sixty percent of her earnings. Last month, a court awarded Moen a $50 million judgment against her alleged sex trafficker, a rare legal victory that Moen hopes will support other sex trafficking survivors seeking justice.
I am grateful that my story was heard and believed, allowing me to achieve some form of justice.Moen expressed in an email to the Tribune.
Moen may never receive the full payment, but gaining justice in federal court is a significant victory. U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow described Moen’s ordeal as among the most reprehensible possible, noting that the case facts were horrifying and Moen suffered substantial harm.
Federal and state laws enable human trafficking survivors to pursue financial compensation through civil courts against perpetrators. Most commonly, lawsuits target hotel chains or internet service providers, offering better chances for settlements. Moen’s case stands out as a survivor directly suing her alleged trafficker, reportedly the first of its kind in Illinois.
Elizabeth Payne, legal director of the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, said that Moen’s approach seeks accountability after the criminal justice system reportedly failed her with prostitution arrests.
Moen filed her lawsuit in 2025 against John Woolridge, whom she met on a dating app in 2012. Attempts to reach Woolridge for comment were unsuccessful; he did not respond to the court complaint or hire legal representation. The court noted that he was notified via email and Instagram, yet he faces no criminal charges related to her case.
Moen’s situation unfolded predictably for sex trafficking victims. Needing financial and emotional support, she communicated daily with Woolridge, culminating in a romantic involvement. He pressured her into sex work, assuring her it was a solution to her financial troubles while he posted ads, set prices, and demanded a cut of her earnings.
When Moen attempted to stop, the complaint alleges he turned hostile, subjecting her to abuse and sexual assault across multiple states. In 2013 and 2014, she was arrested for prostitution. Although she tried to leave, Moen claimed Woolridge used violence, threats, and manipulation to control her. In 2015, she managed to escape, relocating to live with her father in Moline, estimating she had handed over approximately $420,000 to Woolridge.
Initially approaching the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation to expunge her arrests, Moen later filed a lawsuit with their assistance, along with the firm Chapman and Cutler LLP, who took the case pro bono. Payne observed that while Woolridge likely lacks $50 million, the judgment will impact him for life, offering Moen potential avenues for compensation.
The judgment is significant for acknowledging the harm sex trafficking inflicts, cited Payne, acknowledging the power of a judge addressing this issue for the first time. Moen, now based in Rock Island, only recognized her situation as sex trafficking during therapy sessions in 2020. Since then, she’s advocated for fellow survivors, encouraging them to come forward and speak out about their experiences.
It’s important for survivors to know it’s okay to come forward and tell someone.Moen emphasized via email.