Denver Man Sentenced for Human Trafficking of a Minor

DENVER — Denver District Attorney John Walsh announced that Gabriel Peterson has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of Human Trafficking of a Minor.

In July of 2024, Peterson recruited a 15-year-old girl to perform commercial sex acts in the Denver metro area. Peterson controlled whom the girl engaged with and benefited from the proceeds of the commercial sex acts.  Eventually, out of fear, the victim called police to report that Peterson was trafficking her.

Peterson was arrested in November of 2024 and pleaded guilty on December 15, 2025.

“Gabriel Peterson took advantage of a young girl in one of the most despicable ways imaginable, and all for his own financial gain.  This heavy sentence would not have been possible were it not for the incredible courage that the victim showed in coming forward, and it is my hope that this sentence provides her with a measure of comfort and a sense of justice,” said DA Walsh.  “I want to thank the prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates in my office, as well as the Denver Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit, the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, and our partners with From Silenced to Saved, whose outstanding work brought about the successful resolution of this case.”

“We are grateful to the many professionals who worked diligently on this case, but most of all to the brave young survivor whose courage has been evident throughout her recovery and during this process. It is an honor for our organization to know and support her, and we look forward to all she will accomplish in the future. We are also relieved to see this trafficker removed from the streets, and we hope this outcome brings the survivor the peace she has asked for,” said Jenelle Goodrich, Executive Director of From Silenced to Saved.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Katie Kirk led the prosecution team for the Denver DA’s Office.

About the Denver DA’s Office:

The mission of the Denver DA’s Office is to protect the community, to seek equal justice for all, and to improve the quality and fairness of criminal justice on behalf of the people of Colorado. We achieve that mission through excellence in our work investigating and prosecuting crime, supporting victims and their families, working with the community to prevent crime, and providing fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

-30-