Adams County Defendant Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking a Minor in Aurora

Brighton, CO – District Attorney Brian Mason announces today that Kennedy Allen, 23, was sentenced to 20 years in prison following his guilty plea to Pimping of a Child (F3) in Adams County District Court. 

On September 13, 2024, the Aurora Police Department’s Direct Action Response Team (DART) conducted an undercover operation near E. Colfax Avenue and N. Clinton Street. Officers observed a young female, previously reported missing on August 20, 2024, standing on the corner in sexually revealing clothing. The girl engaged with passing drivers in ways consistent with attempted prostitution. 

During the surveillance, a black Toyota Prius approached, and the girl entered the vehicle. Believing an active prostitution transaction was taking place, officers intervened. 

The DART Unit and the Gang Intervention Unit conducted an extensive investigation, including surveillance, records checks, and interviews. Detectives identified Kennedy Allen, a documented criminal street gang member, as the adult who had been recruiting, directing, transporting, and profiting from the minor’s commercial sexual exploitation. 

Investigators gathered digital evidence from Allen’s phone and social media accounts, documenting communications in which he arranged locations, times, and prices for commercial sex acts. Witness statements and surveillance footage confirmed Allen threatened the victim if she refused and that he financially benefited from her exploitation. 

During interviews, the victim described being coerced and manipulated by Allen, who controlled her access to money, transportation, and communication, limiting her ability to leave the situation. Officers observed signs of trauma consistent with sexual exploitation and trafficking. 

Allen coordinated multiple clients, transported the minor between solicitation locations, and instructed her on how to interact with customers. The prosecution believes the defendant was selling children for commercial sex to generate profits for his gang. He was arrested, charged, and on October 31, 2025, pleaded guilty to Pimping of a Child (F3). On March 11, 2026, Adams County District Court Judge Jeffrey Ruff sentenced him to 20 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections.  

"This prosecution and subsequent prison sentence send a clear and unmistakable message: if you engage in the human trafficking of children, we will go after you, and we will hold you accountable,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “The defendant in this case preyed upon a young, vulnerable girl and sold her into sexual slavery. This was a despicable act, and he will now go to prison for it. We will continue fighting for victims, holding predators accountable, and pushing for laws at the Colorado Legislature that strengthen our ability to combat human trafficking." 

“Cases like this represent some of the most predatory crimes our detectives investigate, targeting vulnerable youth for exploitation and profit,” said Cmdr. Marc Paolino, who oversees the Aurora Police Department’s Investigations Bureau. “Detective Adam Hughes, along with members of our Gang Intervention Unit and Direct-Action Response Team, conducted a thorough and victim-centered investigation, following digital evidence, online activity, and street level leads to hold the offender accountable. Our department remains committed to protecting victims, pursuing justice, and continuing proactive efforts to identify and recover human trafficking victims in our community.” 

From Silenced to Saved is an organization that partners with government agencies to strengthen services for survivors. Their advocates respond on-scene alongside law enforcement and provide comprehensive case management and ongoing support throughout the investigation and prosecution. They serve children who have been sexually exploited in Colorado — and they responded immediately to assist in this case. 

“Throughout this process, the survivor was understandably fearful to engage — a reality that too often leads to trafficking cases being dismissed,” said Jenelle Goodrich, Executive Director of From Silenced to Saved. “But FSTS, the Aurora Police Department, and the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office remained committed to pursuing justice without placing pressure on her. Their collaboration helped lift an enormous burden from this young woman. This is what justice should look like: coordinated, compassionate, and focused on accountability to the one that caused harm. We applaud this jurisdiction’s determination to combat child trafficking and protect vulnerable youth.” 

Allen previously pleaded guilty to DF2 Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Distribute a Controlled Substance in Adams County. He was on probation for that offense at the time of this case.  

Senior Deputy District Attorney Shannon Elwell, from the District Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Unit, led the prosecution of this case. Agent Adams Hughes was the Lead Detective on behalf of the Aurora Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit.