Hunter
01/13/25
Trials remain on track for two Iowans who allegedly took a minor from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids, giving her drugs and forcing her into prostitution.
50-year-old Tana Torres of Cedar Rapids was charged in July with human trafficking of a minor, second-degree sexual abuse, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and prostitution.
35-year-old Jarod Anderson of Hiawatha faces similar charges, including human trafficking of a minor, third-degree sexual abuse, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, pimping, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
The Gazette reports during a pretrial hearing last week, Torres’ lawyers said they would be ready for trial April 22 in Linn County District Court.
However, neither of Anderson’s defense lawyers appeared for a phone hearing did not answer repeated emails and phone calls from the judge and the prosecutor. Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill ruled Anderson’s trial date of January 28th will go on as scheduled.
If convicted on the human trafficking charge, both Anderson and Torres could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They are the first cases of this kind in Linn County since a new law was passed in 2023.