Port Orchard man sentenced to 50 years for human trafficking

PORT ORCHARD — The first man convicted of human trafficking in Kitsap County has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

The Kitsap Sun reported that 34-year-old Anthony D. Parker of Port Orchard was convicted in November.

The penalty imposed by Superior Court Judge Sally Olsen is four years more than prosecutors sought.

Parker has filed an appeal, the Sun reported.

He also was convicted of other charges including kidnapping, assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Defense lawyer Matthew Wareham said if Parker had been convicted of promoting prostitution — the law traditionally used against pimps — he would have faced about 10 years.

Prosecutor Russ Hauge said a lengthy sentence for human trafficking is deserved, because of the brutality of pimps and the young age at which some women are forced into prostitution.

Lawmakers approved a 2003 law that defines trafficking as compelling someone’s labor through force, fraud or deceit.