25-05-2025
Man sentenced in 2020 human trafficking case
DENVER (KDVR) — A man who was found with two runaway teenage girls during a traffic stop in 2020 was convicted of human trafficking charges and sentenced to 36 years to life in the Department of Corrections, according to a release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.
Kenneth T. Noel, 34, a resident of Texas, was pulled over for a routine traffic stop in 2020 after he was spotted driving in the left lane only of Interstate 70, while no other traffic was around. Colorado law states drivers should remain in the right lane unless actively passing another driver or avoiding a road hazard.
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A Colorado State trooper pulled over the vehicle, a BMW, and proceeded with the traffic stop. A woman was driving, Noel was in the passenger seat and two 14-year-old girls were in the back seat.
The teenagers initially gave fake names to the trooper, but were eventually identified as two runaway juveniles. The two said they were traveling to Nevada to work as strippers. One of the teens also said that Noel had assaulted her the previous night.
During the trial, Noel was linked to human trafficking through several key pieces of evidence, which included online sexual advertisements that exploited the woman driving, and a further investigation revealed the ads featured in cities across the United States.
'Sadly, human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar industry in the United States,' Chief Deputy District Attorney Jacob Kremin said. 'Statistics show that victims who are subjected to human trafficking at 13 or 14-years-old simply will likely not live to see their 21st birthday if they don't escape this illegal enterprise. I commend the state trooper in this case for being observant in identifying red flags during a traffic stop that ultimately led to the safe recovery of two teens and a third adult victim. The sentence imposed guarantees the defendant will not be able to victimize anyone else in the foreseeable future.'
The sentencing on Friday fell two years short of the maximum sentence allowed under Colorado law.
After trial in February, Noel was found guilty by a jury on multiple felony charges, including:
Attempted human trafficking of a minor, Class 3 felony
Human trafficking of an adult, Class 3 felony
Pimping, Class 3 felony
Sexual assault on a child, Class 4 felony
The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office said that the outcome would not have been achieved without the help of the Colorado State Patrol, an investigator from its own office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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'Survivors of human trafficking endure profound physical and emotional abuse, facing trauma that can leave lasting scars on their health and well-being. Thankfully, in the case, the perpetrator was intercepted by Colorado State Patrol, who recognized the signs and engaged with FBI Denver's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force,' said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mar Michalek. 'After nearly five years, with assistance along the way from FBI Kansas City and FBI Houston — as well as support from community service providers — the survivors were able to watch a judge sentence their abuser to prison, where he won't be able to victimize additional juveniles or adults.'
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