A Burlington woman was sentenced on April 22, to thirty years in federal prison for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, attempted sex trafficking of a child, and sex trafficking three adult victims.

According to public court documents, Miesha Lasha Stanley, 32, in 2022, used force, fraud, and coercion to compel victims to engage in sex acts with customers in exchange for money. Stanley took some or all of the money that the victims earned. Stanley used the victims’ vulnerabilities, which included lack of stable housing, drug addiction, abusive relationships, and lack of familial support, to compel them to engage in paid sex acts. Stanley allowed the victims, most of whom were females in their late teens and early 20s, to live at her residence in Burlington. Stanley posted sex advertisements for the victims online, communicated with customers, and arranged for customers to engage in sex acts with the victims at her residence and other locations. Stanley also conspired with co-defendant Rosella Marie Taylor to sex traffic one of the victims.

After completing her term of imprisonment, Stanley will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

On April 1, 2024, Taylor, 36, was sentenced to 122 months of imprisonment for conspiring to sex traffic, attempting to sex traffic, and sex trafficking two victims. Taylor used force, fraud, and coercion, and conspired with Stanley to use force, fraud, and coercion, to compel an adult victim to engage in paid sex acts. Taylor invited the victim, who struggled with stable housing, and was unemployed, to live at Taylor’s residence in Burlington. Taylor posted sex advertisements for the victim online and drove the victim to meet customers for paid sex work. Taylor took some or all of the money the victim earned. Additionally, Taylor attempted to sex traffic a minor victim. Taylor posted sex advertisements for the victim online, arranged for a customer to engage in sex acts with the victim, and drove the victim to the customer’s residence. However, the customer did not answer the door, and the victim left with Taylor.

After completing her term of imprisonment, Stanley will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

“On behalf of the Burlington Police Department, I would like to recognize the efforts of the personnel and agencies involved in this case,” said Burlington Police Chief Adam Schaefer. “Special recognition should be given to the investigators, who began with some small pieces of information and actively pursued all leads which ultimately led to this resolution.  And of, course, I commend the victims who came forward and cooperated with law enforcement even under the most difficult circumstances. It was not an easy thing to do and their bravery and courage must be commended. This case also serves as a reminder that human trafficking is everywhere, not just large metropolitan areas. It is important for everyone to be vigilant about their surroundings both for themselves and their community.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa and the Burlington Police Department made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Burlington Police Department, assisted by the Des Moines County Attorney’s Office, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Human trafficking is 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. Victims particularly susceptible to being trafficked include those with criminal histories, a history of physical or sexual abuse, uncertain legal status, and dependency on controlled substances. Individuals who purchase sex from minors or from those who are otherwise exploited for commercial sex are also subject to prosecution for sex trafficking under federal law, if they knew or were in reckless disregard of the fact that they were under the age of 18, or that force, fraud, or coercion was used.

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.

During the public forum at the City Council meeting on Wednesday evening, a group of landlords and rental property owners, all from this area, voiced their concerns with the future of the Iowa Wesleyan Campus.

Last year, Christopher Ales purchased dormitories on the east and west side of campus, as well as Hershey Hall and the Science Building. He applied for a State Tax credit in April to help fund this project.

Concerns were listed in a letter sent to the Mt. Pleasant City Council, Henry County Board of Supervisors, and Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce. Included are questions about the City and County’s involvement with this project through tax incentives, possible changes in zoning and certificates of occupancy, and the ramifications going forward.

It seems that they are asking for the city to do their due diligence and wants “complete transparency” as to what the city is prepared to “give up to make this development a reality.”

The group then met with the Henry County Supervisors on Thursday morning for further discussion. It was stated that projects in Burlington by this same developer, Chris Ales, have been sitting idle due to a lack of funding. Currently, they are a hazard, as development will not begin before receiving incentives from the government. The question was posed, “what happens if he doesn’t get the money from the government?” Will the buildings on the former campus sit idle and collect dust?

According to the group, they were never contacted about the purchasing of these buildings, and they did not even know they were for sale. It was determined that there are multiple apartment units for rent in Mount Pleasant alone, and that they do not believe low-income apartments are the need for Mount Pleasant. Instead, they posed, “decent paying jobs” should be the first step, and single-family homes will then fill the shortage.

Whatever anyone’s thoughts, the application sent in by Hershey LLC to the State of Iowa will be approved or denied in September. If approved, it is likely that this project of low-income apartments in Hershey Hall will go through. If denied, however, the possibility of the Henry County Supervisors rescinding the TIF resolution may be on the cards.

One landlord spoke what many were thinking, “do we want or need low income housing in the center of town?”

Board Chair Greg Moeller encouraged the group of landlords to attend the Iowa Finance Authority meeting in Des Moines to make their thoughts known.

Additional information on this project…

Further Discussion on Repurposing Hershey Hall

Former Iowa Wesleyan Buildings Repurposed to 150+ Apartments

Attention Iowa youth, your voices are needed! Apply to join the Iowa Youth Congress (IYC) or State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC), they are now accepting applications through June 1, 2024!

Iowa Youth Congress (IYC) is a youth advocacy program under the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services. The year-long program seeks up to 100 Iowa high school students of all backgrounds and provides them the opportunity to gain hands-on education in the subject areas of state government, democracy, advocacy, and civic engagement.

Members in IYC gain the knowledge, abilities, and direction to advocate and enact change in their communities and at the state level for issues affecting youth. Throughout their term, members also gain skills including public speaking, problem-solving, and political debate in a multicultural leadership setting.

For more information or to find an application head to https://hhs.iowa.gov/about/advisory-groups/state-iowa-youth-advisory-council

RAGBRAI was a large point of discussion during the Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting Wednesday evening. Rachel Lindeen with the Mt. Pleasant Chamber teamed up with Lisa Oetken, Main Street Mt. Pleasant, to deliver an update on the exciting overnight stop on Friday, July 26^th, for an estimated 20,000 people.

A variety of requests were heard, such as permission for using city parks, a sound ordinance, and funding, amongst others. The City agreed to support the upcoming overnight.

It was also mentioned that the RAGBRAI committee is working with the county emergency management coordinator to decide on an emergency place in case of poor weather. Street closures will be announced in the coming months, as the in-town route is still a work in progress.

Another round of spring storms is due this weekend, with sever storms possible Friday through Sunday. Multiple hazards including large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes, are all possible. Heavy rain is also possible with storms, increasing the risk for flash flooding.

Currently, the National Weather Service reports Mt. Pleasant and surrounding towns are at a slight risk for severe weather on Friday evening. That risk continues into Saturday with the night likely to see the highest coverage of thunderstorms when heavy rainfall is probable and severe. Rainfall totals through the weekend may exceed three inches for some locations.

Preparation is the key word, as the unpredictability of storms and the damage they cause is high. Ensure you have emergency supplies and know your safe places. Always keep an evacuation route in mind the day of, as you may only have a few seconds to take action once a warning is issued.