Jarod Anderson – 1st person to be sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking

A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the trafficking of a minor. Yesterday was the first time someone has been sentenced for this crime since the penalty for it was increased by a state law.

The Dubuque teenager who was trafficked was picked up by Jarod Anderson and Tana Torres, who then took her to Cedar Rapids. In a Cedar Rapids hotel, they sold her for sex to various men over the course of two days. The Dubuque teen was able to escape after that time and call for help.

A member of the anti-human trafficking organization “Chains Interrupted” helped in the case and read a statement that was written by the victim. “Chains Interrupted” is one of the reasons that the penalty for human trafficking was increased. The member said that this case is sending a message out that these crimes have serious and lasting consequences to those who commit them.

Mugshot courtesy of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.