Federal prosecutors said Friday a 29-year-old man from Normal has received a 10-year prison sentence for sex trafficking a minor.
Jahquan Howard of Wartburg Drive also faces 10 years of supervised release when released and must register as a sex offender.
Prosecutors said Howard rented hotel rooms in the Peoria area, transported a minor girl to the hotels to sell sex with her and gave her controlled substances. He used online advertisements to solicit men to the hotel rooms, according to the charges.
“Sex trafficking is modern day slavery” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris. “Sex trafficking is particularly harmful when it involves minor children as in this case."
Howard was indicted in February 2020 and entered a guilty plea in April 2022. He has remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Howard could have received a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“While this sentence effectively ends Jahquan Howard’s ability to sexually exploit children, the damage caused by this crime can linger for a lifetime for the victim," said Shannon Fontenot, FBI Springfield Field Office acting special agent in charge. "The FBI remains constant in our commitment to provide resources for victims to assist in the healing process.”
Bloomington Police and the Springfield office of the FBI investigated the case.
