A Texas man was sentenced on charges on Friday relating to a human trafficking operation in Colorado that police uncovered during a 2020 traffic stop on Interstate 70.

Kenneth Noel, 34, was given a sentence of 36 years to life in prison for charges including attempted human trafficking of a minor, human trafficking of an adult, pimping and sexual assault on a child, according to a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. 

“This is not a victimless operation and it’s important that we provide a voice for victims who are subjected to this dangerous criminal enterprise,” said Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley in the release. “I believe today’s sentence shows our commitment to taking dangerous offenders off our streets.”

A Colorado State Trooper pulled over Noel’s BMW on I-70 in June 2020 after he noticed the car had temporary tags and was driving in the left lane with no traffic around it, according to the release. The car was occupied by four people: an adult female driver, an adult male passenger, identified as Noel, and two female passengers in the backseat, who initially gave the trooper fake names before the trooper identified them as juvenile runaways.

The two girls were just 14 years old at the time of the stop and told the trooper that they were going to Nevada to work as strippers, according to the release. One reported being assaulted by Noel the previous night.

Prosecutors revealed evidence at the trial that linked Noel to human trafficking operations that included online sexual advertisements that appeared in cities across the country, the release says. Some of them exploited the adult female driver.

“Sadly, human trafficking is a multi billion-dollar industry in the United States,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Jacob Kremin in the release. “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.”

Friday’s sentence falls two years shy of the maximum sentence allowed under Colorado law, according to the release. 

To report suspicious activity related to potential human trafficking operations, call Colorado’s hotline: 1-866-455-5075 or text “HELP” to 720-999-9724.