A Larimer County District Court judge this week sentenced a Denver man who was charged with child sex trafficking to 22 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
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Ivan Banuelos Gandara, 23, pleaded guilty to human trafficking and child sex exploitation in March, court records show. Prosecutors dismissed child prostitution, sex assault, enticement, internet luring and drug charges as part of the plea deal.
Police arrested Gandara in April 2024 after a 13-year-old girl reported he was forcing her to have sex in exchange for money, food and marijuana, the Eighth Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
Detectives also found another 13-year-old victim while investigating the case.
“The amount of bravery these victims showed in coming forward cannot be overstated,” District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin said in a statement.
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McLaughlin also thanked the multi-disciplinary human trafficking team that helped with the case and supported the victims.
“Human trafficking cases are incredibly complex, and these partnerships enable us to ensure victims are heard and offenders held accountable,” he said.
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Gandara’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
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