Iowa Man Convicted of Child Sex Trafficking, Methamphetamine and Firearms Offenses

DES MOINES, Iowa – On January 28, 2020, following a six-day trial, a jury found Kendall Andrew Streb, of Hills, Iowa, guilty of three counts of child sex trafficking, two counts of distributing methamphetamine to children, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of unlawful user in possession of a firearm and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime announced United States Attorney Marc Krickbaum.  The case was presided over by United States District Court Judge Stephanie M. Rose. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date.

During trial, the government presented evidence Streb trafficked three teenagers in Iowa City, Coralville, and Cedar Rapids, from November 2018 through February 2019. Streb solicited the three minors, aged 15 through 17 years old, and paid them in cash and methamphetamine in exchange for sex acts. Streb, at times, transported the teenagers to hotel rooms where he engaged in commercial sex acts with them. The evidence proved Streb knew one or more girls was under 18 years old, and otherwise was in reckless disregard of the fact they were under the age of 18.On March 26, 2019, during a search warrant executed at Streb’s residence and truck, law enforcement located methamphetamine and two handguns. Evidence of drug trafficking was also found during the search, that included methamphetamine packaged for sale, a digital scale, and packaging materials.

“Let’s be clear: if you pay money or provide drugs in exchange for sex with underage girls, you are a sex trafficker. We will prosecute you and send you to federal prison,” said Krickbaum. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is grateful to the law enforcement officers, particularly those from the Iowa City Police Department, who brought Kendall Streb to justice.”

Sex trafficking of a child is punishable by a minimum of ten years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment.

Human trafficking is defined as a crime involving the exploitation of youth under the age of 18 for commercial sex; the exploitation of adults for commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion; and the exploitation of any individual for compelled labor. Human trafficking does not require the transportation of individuals across state lines, or that someone is physically restrained. Signs that a person is being trafficked can include working excessively long hours, unexplained gifts, physical injury, substance abuse issues, running away from home, isolation from others, or having a person in their life controlling them or monitoring them closely. Anyone who suspects human trafficking is occurring, be it a minor engaging in paid sex acts, or anyone being coerced into prostitution or labor, is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

The case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department, with assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the Coralville Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.