Child Pimping Ringleader Sentenced To 120 Years To Life In Prison
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)- A judge sentenced the ringleader of a child prostitution ring to prison for 120 years to life. Daniel Onodera was the ringleader of a group of seven men and women charged in the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
The ring was based out of the Timberleaf Apartments in Lakewood and the Motel 6 at Interstate 70 and Kipling in Wheat Ridge in 2012. The group was accused of preying on vulnerable teenage girls by using drugs.
There were two named female victims, one 16-year-old and one 17-year-old. The girls did not know each other but had similarities. They had each run away from home, were truant from school, were vulnerable, desperate and had been lured by methamphetamine provided by Onodera.
At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Chief Judge Phil McNulty designated Onodera to be a sexually violent predator.
"This sentence brings an end to Mr. Onodera's pattern of degradation and dehumanization of young women. In his wake of destruction he has shattered the lives of victims and witnesses," said District Attorney Pete Weir in a statement, "This outcome is precisely the goal of our Human Trafficking Unit. Collaborating with state and local law enforcement, we are bringing justice for young victims."
Onodera was found guilty by a jury in June of eight felony counts including pandering of a child, pimping of a child, keeping a place of child prostitution and soliciting for child prostitution.
"Onodera's sentence is an illustration of the FBI's commitment to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle in a statement. "The FBI's Rocky Mountain Innocence Lost Task force will continue to diligently work with our local and state partners to identify and catch child predators."
