Chicago City Wire

A Rockford man, Travis Thomas, 34, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison for sex trafficking. The conviction included multiple counts of coercing and transporting a victim across state lines for prostitution. U.S. District Judge John J. Tharp, Jr. delivered the sentence during a hearing in Rockford's federal court.

The sentencing was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, alongside Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office. The investigation received assistance from the Rockford Police Department, Hoffman Estates Police Department, and Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vincenza L. Tomlinson and Jessica S. Maveus represented the government along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica V. Mallory.

Thomas targeted his victim between 2017 and 2018 by exploiting her drug addiction to crack cocaine to coerce her into commercial sex acts for his financial gain. He transported her to hotels in Rockford, Wisconsin, and Texas for this purpose while using threats of physical violence to ensure compliance.

Beyond forcing the victim into commercial sex work, Thomas engaged in fraud by taking control of her credit cards and filing fraudulent tax returns and insurance claims under her name. He emptied her bank accounts and sold her belongings as well.

The victim managed to escape Thomas's control in April 2018 with assistance from an individual who took her to a hospital following severe physical abuse inflicted by Thomas. A trained nurse at the hospital identified her as a sex trafficking victim and alerted law enforcement authorities.

Victims of sexual exploitation are encouraged to contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children through their website or by calling their hotline available around the clock.