Trafficking probe leads to prostitution charge against Cedar Rapids man

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Sunday on charges that he purchased prostitution services through a Hiawatha man convicted last month of forcing a 17-year-old to have sex with men in exchange for money.

Mark Schwake, 61, is charged with one count of prostitution. According to a criminal complaint, police found Schwake’s phone number when reviewing phone data from Jarod Anderson’s cellphone.

  Buy Photo

Anderson was arrested last July, along with Tana Torres, on charges that they brought a minor from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids in May 2024, gave her drugs and forced her into prostitution. Anderson was convicted last month and will be sentenced on April 1 and faces life in prison. Torres was offered a plea deal in exchange for testifying against Anderson. She pleaded guilty March 5 to three charges of prostitution and conspiracy to commit prostitution.

During the investigation into Torres and Anderson, police searched Anderson’s phone and found a phone number they determined belonged to Schwake. In conversations between Dec. 12, 2023, and June 26, 2024, Schwake offered to purchase sexual services from another person and asked for photos and details of the services, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint did not indicate whether Schwake was involved specifically in the prostitution of the Dubuque teenager.

A warrant was issued March 20 for Schwake’s arrest and he was booked Sunday into the Linn County Jail. He had his initial appearance in court on Monday and was released on his own recognizance.

Comments: (319) 398-8328; emily.andersen@thegazette.com