Rockford man sentenced to federal prison for sex trafficking

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – A 34-year-old Rockford man has been sentenced to more than three decades behind bars for sex trafficking.

Travis Thomas, 34, was found guilty by a jury in June of forcing and transporting a victim across state lines to engage in prostitution. On Friday, U.S. District Judge John Tharp Jr. sentenced Thomas to 420 months or 35 years in prison.

Investigators say that between November 2017 and April 2018, Thomas acted as the victim’s pimp by targeting her, supplying her with crack cocaine and manipulating her drug addiction to coerce her into having sex with others for his own financial gain.

Prosecutors say Thomas took the victim to hotels in Rockford, Wisconsin and Texas, where she was forced into prostitution.

Thomas kept all the money from the sex acts for himself and spent it on things like a new vehicle, gambling, clothing and food.

To maintain control of the victim, Thomas took her credit cards, filed fraudulent tax returns and insurance claims on her behalf, emptied her bank accounts and sold her assets, all while promising to love her and give her a better life. He also used and threatened physical violence against the victim, according to federal prosecutors.

The victim was able to escape in April 2018 with the help of a Good Samaritan who took the victim to a hospital after she was severely beaten by Thomas. A nurse at the hospital called police after identifying her as a sex trafficking victim.

If you believe you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.