Man Sentenced to Life for Sex Trafficking of Minor, Plus 60 Years for Child Sex Abuse Image Production
A 44-year-old man from Omaha has been sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, along with an additional 60 years for production of child sex abuse images. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska made the announcement, revealing the severity of the punishment for the horrendous crimes committed by Rolando E. Midder.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter Jr., who presided over the case, described Midder’s actions as egregious is too kind of a word. In addition to the life sentence for sex trafficking, Rossiter handed down the statutory maximum of 30 years for each of the two counts of production of child sex abuse images.
Midder’s conviction came after a weeklong jury trial in June. During the trial, evidence was presented showing that Midder had invited a homeless girl to live with him in February 2022 while he was residing in an Omaha hotel. Subsequently, Midder began advertising the girl online, arranging locations and prices for individuals to engage in sexual acts with the minor. These advertisements continued until Midder’s arrest in June 2022.
Upon Midder’s arrest, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his phone. Disturbingly, the phone contained ads created about the victim, conversations arranging commercial sex acts involving the victim, and videos depicting Midder raping the victim.
When law enforcement rescued the victim, she was found to have numerous bruises, burns, and scars, and she appeared severely malnourished. According to the release, she disclosed being raped and physically abused by Midder and expressed fear that he would harm her further if she spoke with the authorities.
The case was thoroughly investigated by the FBI Omaha’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Acting U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr commented on the sentence, stating that it appropriately matches the horrendous actions perpetrated by Midder on the victim.
The news of this sentencing serves as a reminder of the critical need to combat and eradicate human trafficking and child exploitation. Law enforcement agencies and organizations continue to work tirelessly to identify and apprehend individuals involved in these heinous crimes, ultimately seeking justice for the victims involved.
This case highlights the importance of public awareness and education regarding the signs of human trafficking and child exploitation. By being vigilant and informed, communities can play a crucial role in helping to prevent and combat these offenses.
It is imperative that society supports the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals, especially minors, from falling victim to sex trafficking and abuse. By working together and holding accountable those who perpetrate such crimes, we can strive to create a safer environment for all.
