Des Moines man indicted for sex trafficking Iowa women for prostitution in two other states

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Des Moines man was indicted this month on eight federal charges for sex trafficking four adult Iowa women by force, fraud and coercion for prostitution in Illinois and North Dakota.

Marlin Santana Thomas Sr., 49, was indicted July 8, in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids on four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and four counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution through coercion and enticement.

According to an indictment, unsealed Friday, Thomas is accused of sex trafficking the women in the Northern District of Iowa and other areas between 2009 and 2015. He is also accused of taking the women from Iowa to Illinois and North Dakota for the purpose of prostitution.

The indictment doesn’t contain further information. The initial appearance and arraignment haven’t been set for Thomas at this time.

The sex trafficking charges each carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life in prison. Victim restitution also is mandatory upon conviction for sex trafficking.

The transportation charges each carry a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Nydle for the Northern District of Iowa and Slava Kuperstein, trial attorney for the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit, are prosecuting the case. The FBI and Des Moines Police Department investigated the case.

The FBI is asking that anyone with information about Thomas to contact the Omaha Field Office at (402) 493-8688.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com