Iowa criminal charge
Premises used for human trafficking in Iowa
Premises used for human trafficking is a criminal offense under Iowa law, defined by Iowa Code § 710A.2B. Its classification is not fixed: Iowa assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Iowa Code § 710A.2B.
What is the penalty for premises used for human trafficking in Iowa?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Premises used for human trafficking — A person owns, rents, leases, or uses any part of a place offering shelter or seclusion, knowing or having reason to know it is used for human trafficking.; indeterminate term (§902.3); maximum only, release determined by the board of parole) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Fine | $1,025 to $10,245 (Premises used for human trafficking — A person owns, rents, leases, or uses any part of a place offering shelter or seclusion, knowing or having reason to know it is used for human trafficking.; §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 902.9 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 years (Failure to cooperate with investigation — A person who has been notified by law enforcement of an investigation under chapter 152C or 157 involving their premises fails to fully cooperate with that investigation.; the court may order imprisonment in addition to the fine (§903.1(1)(b))) | discretionary | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
| Fine | $430 to $2,560 (Failure to cooperate with investigation — A person who has been notified by law enforcement of an investigation under chapter 152C or 157 involving their premises fails to fully cooperate with that investigation.; fine may not be suspended by the court (§903.1(1)); §911 surcharges added on top) | mandatory | Iowa Code § 903.1 |
Applies to current (2026 Iowa Code; fine levels per 2020 Acts ch 1074).
How is premises used for human trafficking classified in Iowa?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premises used for human trafficking | Class “D” Felony | A person owns, rents, leases, or uses any part of a place offering shelter or seclusion, knowing or having reason to know it is used for human trafficking. | Iowa Code § 710A.2B(1) |
| Failure to cooperate with investigation | Serious Misdemeanor | A person who has been notified by law enforcement of an investigation under chapter 152C or 157 involving their premises fails to fully cooperate with that investigation. | Iowa Code § 710A.2B(3)(b) |
Common questions about premises used for human trafficking in Iowa
Is premises used for human trafficking a felony or a misdemeanor in Iowa?
It depends on the circumstances: premises used for human trafficking ranges from a Serious Misdemeanor to a Class “D” Felony in Iowa under Iowa Code § 710A.2B.
Premises used for human trafficking: Class “D” Felony (Iowa Code § 710A.2B(1)) · Failure to cooperate with investigation: Serious Misdemeanor (Iowa Code § 710A.2B(3)(b))
What are the penalties for premises used for human trafficking in Iowa?
Which Iowa statute covers premises used for human trafficking?
Premises used for human trafficking is governed by Iowa Code § 710A.2B (Premises used for human trafficking).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.