Franklin County judge sentences six-time sex trafficking offender to 25 years in prison following intensive trial

PASCO, Wash. — Following a complicated and lengthy case, a Franklin County judge has sentenced defendant Lance Ray Horntvedt Sr. to 25 years in prison for several sex trafficking offenses between May 2015 and March 2018.

According to a release issued by the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, guilty pleas were submitted on Horntvedt’s behalf for the following charges: One county of trafficking in the first degree and five counts of trafficking in the second degree.

Six victims came forward to share their stories as part of the trial that encompassed 185 pages of police reports, hundreds of hours of jail phone calls, and a number of search warrants.

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“[This case] had an extremely negative psychological impact on all six victims involved, some of which are still experienced to this day,” Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Shawn P. Sant said. “Their bravery in coming forward with their stories should be commended.”

In addition to Horntvedt’s prison sentence, he will be required by law to spend the rest of his life as a registered sex offender. He’ll pay costs associated with the 50-year ‘No Contact Orders’ signed for each of his victims. Following his time in prison, the defendant will spend three additional years in community custody, according to Franklin County officials.

Sant also credited Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Maureen R. Astley and Pasco police officer Jasen McClintock for their extensive work on this case.

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