ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — State Rep. Marian Matthews said that people don’t believe human trafficking is happening in New Mexico.

“I’ve had people say, ‘Well, that’s not really happening, is it?’ And it is,” she said.

But there is a viral video, from the corner of Rhode Island and Central, proving it does. The video shows three girls, with barely any clothes, appear to be soliciting sex from drivers.

One of them, a 14 year old, later told police she was forced to do it by Roderick Norseweather. Albuquerque police officers arrested him and Tajahnae Johnson for human trafficking Friday. The girl allegedly told police she was threatened and forced to give the money she made to Norseweather.

Rep. Matthews said she wasn’t shocked when police made the arrests.

“I’m one, not surprised, because this is a far more common crime than one would expect,” she said. “Secondly, I’m saddened that because it’s such a heinous crime. And third, I’m angry because we need to protect our children.”

The 14-year-old told police the group came from California. Norseweather picked her up for a date and forced her to start working for him in September.

Stories like that are why Matthews and state Rep. Liz Thomson cosponsored House Bill 116 last year. The goal is to strengthen New Mexico’s human trafficking laws.

Matthews said it didn’t pass because lawmakers ran out of time to get to it. However, that gave them time to revamp it.

“One of the changes we’re making is removing the statute of limitations,” Matthews explained. “If you’re charged with the human trafficking, the statute of limitations is never going to run (out). You can be charged at any time.”

They also raised the age of child prostitution from 16 to 18 and increased the penalties.

“It is a second-degree felony to prostitute a child between the ages of 13 and 18. Under 13 is a first-degree charge, first-degree felony,” Matthews said.

The bill cleared two House committees last session but still needed to clear the Senate floor and reach the governor’s desk.

Matthews said she is hopeful they’ll have the time to do all that this time around.

“It’s one of those crimes that sort of infects the society because it has so many ways it can go, and that’s why it’s (important) to me,” she said. “In my mind, that’s another reason why it’s really important that we prosecute this and prosecute it effectively.”