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Iowa Man Charged in Federal Court with Sex Trafficking a Child

Courtesy of Trish Mehaffey from The Gazette

A Cedar Rapids man charged in federal court with attempted sex trafficking of a child and destroying evidence will remain in jail pending his trial. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Roberts, during a detention hearing on Monday, ruled that Joshua Johnson, 49, would remain in jail without bond until the July 15 trial in U.S. District Court.

Johnson was indicted May 9 for attempted sex trafficking on Dec. 6, 2023, and destruction of evidence. He is accused of attempting to recruit, entice, obtain, patronize and solicit a person he believed to be under age 14 to engage in a commercial sex act.

He also is accused of destroying electronic data on Dec. 7, 2023, with the intent to impede, obstruct and influence the investigation. Court documents don’t provide further details of the incidents.

If convicted, Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and possibly up to life, a $500,000 fine, and five years or more of supervised release following any prison term.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Tremmel and is being investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

World Day Against Human Trafficking in Persons Tuesday, July 30; Theme is “Accelerated Action to End Child Trafficking”

Annually, the United Nations designates July 30 as World Day Against Human Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of this devastating global problem and to promote the protection of people’s basic human rights. Trafficking is modern-day slavery, and this heinous crime is growing not only globally but right here in Iowa as well.

This year’s global campaign for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons urges “accelerated action to end child trafficking.” Children represent a significant proportion of trafficking victims worldwide, with girls being disproportionately affected.

1 in 3 victims of human trafficking globally is a child

The causes of child trafficking are as diverse as the ways in which children are exploited. Children are subjected to various forms of trafficking, including exploitation in forced labor, criminality or begging, forced child marriage, recruitment into armed forces, and online and sexual abuse and exploitation.

Root causes are manifold, including poverty, inadequate support of unaccompanied children amidst rising migration and refugee flows, armed conflicts, dysfunctional families, and parents who sell their own children. Notably, in low-income countries, children are often trafficked for forced labor, whereas in high-income countries, sexual exploitation remains prevalent among child victims.

Please make the Global Day Against Trafficking the day that Iowans become part of the solution and stand with the NAHT in this fight to end child trafficking. We are aware that several local Iowa antitrafficking coalitions are holding virtual trainings and in-person events to mark this special annual day. Please send photos and report on your events to administrator@lindam87.sg-host.com, and we will post them in the August 2024 blog post/newsletter.

To date, we in Iowa have not effectively addressed the issue of child trafficking. For four years, the NAHT has worked hard to get the Iowa Legislature to pass a Safe Harbour Law without success. This must change as Iowa continues to fall behind other states.

Click here to read more about this year’s World Day Against Human Trafficking theme.

Note: Chains Interrupted will hold a rally on July 27 at 10:00 a.m. with sharing from a survivor, businesses, and local trafficking experts. The safety fair includes law enforcement, fire safety, technology safety, children’s activities, and vendors. Learn more here.

17-Minute Video on Human Trafficking in Iowa

A group of Wartburg College seniors have produced a valuable video with an update on the status of human trafficking in Iowa. Four knowledgeable Iowans are interviewed and a lot of up-to-date information is shared. Included in the four interviewees are two NAHT Board members including Teresa Davidson and Chief Mike Tupper. The Chair of the North and Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Melody Stone, is also interviewed. Watch the 17-minute video here.

Update your Survivor Service Information on the Iowa NAHT Website

The eight Iowa providers of restoration care for survivors are asked to submit their updates to Dr. George at gbelitsos55@gmail.com by August 1. Below is the update provided by Wings of Refuge.

Located in Ames, Iowa: A long-term residential program for women (18+). Wings of Refuge is a Christ-Centered 501(c)(3) that provides opportunities for healing and restoration to survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Programs include a long-term restorative safe home, meaningful work through a social enterprise, and transitional housing. In 2023, Wings of Refuge became the first in the state to be accredited by the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA).

Contact: Brandy Young, Executive Director
Organization Address: PO Box 2455 Ames, IA, 50010
Phone: Office: (515) 310-0200, Residental Program Admissions: (641) 640-1327
Email: info@wingsofrefuge.net
Website: http://www.wingsofrefuge.net/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wingsofrefuge.ia
Instagram: @wingsofrefuge

Youth “Speak Out” About Human Trafficking Through The Arts

The North and Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking is interested in partnering with high schoolers to raise awareness about the growing issue of sex and labor trafficking in Iowa. A powerful way to “speak out” about social justice issues is through the arts. So they are inviting youth to use their unique artistic and creative skills to raise awareness and inspire others to get involved in anti-human trafficking efforts.

They are looking for 15+ high school students from across north and central Iowa who will create original art, poetry, sculpture, vocal/instrumental music, dramatic skits, short videos or films or creative dance to be displayed or performed at a community gallery event. All entries will center around the theme of human trafficking. There will be adult mentors with specialized skills who will be available to consult with youth about their project. Adults will be responsible for planning the venue and other details. Students will register online and write a brief description of what they plan to perform or submit. They will have about 4-6 weeks to complete their project. The 4-hour event will be on a Saturday later this summer.

The coalition is seeking COMMITTED students; DEVELOPING artists, song or poetry writers, dancers, dramatic actors, videographers, and musicians who want to participate in our FIRST gallery-presentation event to be held THIS SUMMER!

**Your participation in this event will be great to include on future resumes, for employment and scholarships!

They are also welcoming others to partner with the North and Central Iowa Coalition Against Human Trafficking to do these events during the school year!

If you are interested in participating this summer or later in the year, please email Melody Stone at prairiemelody@gmail.com, (808) 430-5710.

In your PRE-REGISTRATION email, please write your full name, email address, phone AND WHEN you are wanting to participate in an event. That’s all we need right now! We will email you an official registration form once we have at least 15+ interested students for this summer.

The coalition is excited to partner with creative high school students who will “speak out” through the arts about human trafficking, the fastest-growing criminal enterprise occurring in Iowa!

45% of USA Victims Are First Lured by Online Contact

The Polaris Project, which runs the National Human Trafficking Hotline, estimates that 45% of trafficking victims were subjected to trafficking because of their online and social media activities. Polaris has produced a 4-minute, 2-part video about this social media concern. We know that many of these victims are being exploited because they shared sexual pictures and were threatened with having them shown to parents, all their social media contacts, and placed online for the world to see. However, most parents probably don’t think their kids would send those pictures. The video shows parents AND kids how easy it is to be tricked into it.

Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Leading Brutal Human Trafficking Ring

A 31-year-old man from South Carolina is looking at four decades in federal prison for his role in a human trafficking conspiracy among other crimes.

Eric Rashaun Jones was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to human trafficking conspiracy, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and witness tampering.

Jones, from August 2018 to November 2022, exploited women in the commercial sex trade for his financial gain. He used physical violence and force, including beating victims with a pistol, causing hospitalizations, broken bones, and scarring. He also recorded the assault of several of his victims on his phone.

 TV News Clips & Articles

By on July 1, 2024   /   News