(Council Bluffs, Iowa) — A man from Pottawattamie County was sentenced to 35-years in Federal Prison for sex trafficking a minor under the age of 14. United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced 39-year-old Dennis Smith, of Council Bluffs, received his sentence today (Thursday), in Council Bluffs U-S District Court.

In July 2021, Omaha police were alerted to a report of a female minor who was sexually assaulted by Smith. The investigation found Smith had conversed with the child via Snapchat about alcohol and money, and during those conversations, he agreed to pay the minor for sex. He traveled to Omaha and got a hotel room. The victim met Smith in his vehicle where he sexually assaulted her before giving her $250 in cash.

Upon release, Smith will have to pay a $200,000 fine and $5,100 in special assessments which was ordered by the judge.