A Dubuque man accused of human trafficking and pimping was allowed to submit an Alford plea Monday without admitting he committed the crime. 68 year old John Hart, entered an Alford plea in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County for the charge of pimping. Such a plea is not an admission of guilt, but the defendant acknowledges that sufficient evidence for a conviction exists. As part of a plea deal, a human trafficking charge will be dismissed. Iowa District Court Judge Thomas Bitter accepted Hart’s plea. Prosecutors intend to seek a five-year prison sentence, the maximum allowed under state law for the felony. Hart’s attorneys will argue against that recommendation. Hart was arrested in May 2017 following an investigation into suspected prostitution at Dubuque massage parlors owned by him and 56 year old Meirong Li. Both were charged with pimping and human trafficking.
