Anderson, 35, of Hiawatha, Iowa, is accused of taking a minor from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids, giving her drugs and forcing her into prostitution. Anderson is the first case tried in the state since a law passed in that those convicted of human trafficking of a minor can face life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case against Jarod Anderson, 35, which got underway this week in Cedar Rapids, is the first in Iowa under a law that increases the penalties for human trafficking of a minor to a Class A felony — punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Anderson is charged with 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 human trafficking charge of a minor against Anderson and Tana Torres, 50, of Cedar Rapids, who is also charged, are the first cases under House File in Linn County. Anderson is the first to face trial on that charge in the state. The teen, who spoke in a low and quiet voice, became upset at different times during testimony and at one point she said she felt sick to her stomach and a brief recess was called.
The year-old testified she became involved with Anderson, whom she knew as Ty, and Torres, identified to her as Myriah Banks, after she got into a Facebook conversation with Torres about getting a ride to Cedar Rapids from Dubuque. Torres offered the ride in exchange for the teen posing naked, she testified.
She admitted to making poor decisions but wanted to get out of Dubuque because she had a warrant out for her arrest. When Torres arrived to pick her up, Anderson was driving the car and gave her a bag with tequila and the mushrooms, she said.
Anderson then allegedly sexually abused her while Torres was present. The teen said after the photos, she had planned to see a friend in Cedar Rapids. Brown was charged with prostitution in the investigation, but he died and his charge was dismissed in October, according to court records.
