A California man with ties to Albuquerque pleaded guilty on Mar. 19 to federal charges of sex trafficking two minors and transporting them to New Mexico for commercial sex acts, according to court documents. A second defendant also pleaded guilty to concealing the offense.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about child exploitation and interstate trafficking. Authorities say the defendants used various means, including technology and travel arrangements, to facilitate commercial sex involving minors across state lines.
Court records show that in December 2024, Roderick Norseweather Jr., 26, recruited two minors in California and transported them for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts. Norseweather provided cell phones, required use of a location-tracking app, created a coded emoji system for monitoring activity, rented hotel rooms, and paid for food and clothing to keep the minors engaged in commercial sex for his benefit. On December 29, 2024, Norseweather sent the two minors and Tajahne Johnson, 22, by Amtrak from California to New Mexico using tickets he purchased so they could engage in commercial sex in another state. Johnson was aware of the plan and participated alongside the minors in Albuquerque.
From December 30 through January 3, Norseweather directed the minors via text messages and Instagram, posted advertisements online using their photos, arranged meetings with buyers, and later traveled to Albuquerque to collect over $3,000 from their activities. After law enforcement made contact on January 3, Johnson texted one minor not to come to the area and lied about their relationship with Norseweather in an attempt to conceal his involvement.
Johnson pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony and remains in custody pending sentencing; she faces an agreed upon sentence of three years in prison. Norseweather pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking of children and two counts of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. He will remain detained until sentencing and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office announced these developments. The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office and Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Patrick E. Cordova are prosecuting.
