Columbia man pleads guilty to sex trafficking

A Columbia man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to sex trafficking a minor and two counts of transportation for illegal sexual activity by coercion and enticement.

According to a news release, 26 year-old Kenneth Jones admitted to persuading three victims, including a minor, to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution and illicit sexual activity in 2016.

In June 2016, a victim from Wisconsin contacted her social worker and said Jones was holding her against her will at a home in Columbia that was known for prostitution.

The victim told investigators she met Jones and another victim at a party in Wisconsin and agreed to travel with him to Columbia to engage in prostitution.

The release said Jones knew the victim was 17 years old and instructed her to tell everyone at the house that she was 18 years old. It also said Jones had the victim charge $120 for half an hour or $160 for a full hour. The victim gave $20 to the owners of the home and the rest of the money went to Jones, according to the release.

A second victim told investigators she met Jones in March 2016 at a party in Wisconsin and went with him to Columbia under the impression she would help Jones sell narcotics.

According to the victim, she earned about $2,500 for engaging in prostitution, but was not allowed to keep any of the money.

According to the news release, a third victim also agreed to come to Columbia after talking to Jones via Facebook. That victim gave a door fee to the owners and the rest of the money to Jones, the release said.

The Office of the United States Attorney Western District of Missouri said Jones could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison without parole up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.