Des Moines Man Charged with Sex Trafficking of Four Women

A Des Moines man, Marlin Santana Thomas Sr., 49, has been charged with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and four counts of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution through coercion and enticement. According to the indictment, Thomas used force, fraud and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex acts in the Northern District of Iowa and elsewhere between 2009 and 2015.

The indictment alleges that Thomas transported women from Iowa to Illinois and North Dakota for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. The charge of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison. It also carries a minimum of five years of supervised release up to a lifetime of supervised release along with a fine of up to $250,000.

Key Takeaways:

• Marlin Santana Thomas Sr. has been charged with four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and four counts of interstate transportation for purposes of prostitution through coercion and enticement.
• The indictment alleges that Thomas used force, fraud, and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex acts between 2009 and 2015.
• The FBI and Des Moines Police Department investigated the case.
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Nydle and Trial Attorney Slava Kuperstein are prosecuting the case.
• The indictment carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
• The charge also carries a minimum of five years of supervised release up to a lifetime of supervised release along with a fine of up to $250,000.
• Restitution is mandatory upon any conviction for sex trafficking.
• The FBI is asking that anyone with information about Thomas to contact the Omaha Field Office at (402) 493-8688.

Statistics:

• 15 years: Mandatory minimum prison sentence for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
• Life in prison: Maximum penalty for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
• $250,000: Maximum fine for sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion.
• 2009-2015: Time period during which Thomas allegedly used force, fraud, and coercion to cause four adult women to engage in commercial sex acts.
• 4: Number of adult women allegedly trafficked by Thomas.

Sources:

• United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa
• Des Moines Police Department
• FBI's Omaha Field Office
• National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888)
• www.humantraffickinghotline.org
• www.justice.gov/humantrafficking