Columbia man pleads guilty in sex trafficking case

A Columbia man has pleaded guilty in a sex trafficking case from 2013. On Monday, Kenyata Miles entered a guilty plea to attempted sex trafficking of a child.

Miles faces a sentence of ten years to life, though a time for sentencing has not been set.

Miles was originally arrested by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department in May of 2013for suspicion of promoting prosecution and trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, among other charges.

Investigators said they received a tip about a prostitution advertisement on an online classifieds website in mid-April. The posting used photographs of a juvenile female.

Law enforcement officials said Miles allegedly transported women to and obtained motel rooms in Columbia and other Mid-Missouri cities for prostitution activity.

Investigators believe he also forced an adult female to engage in prostitution by violence and in one instance, allegedly pointed a handgun at a woman.

In March of 2014, Miles was federally charged for sex trafficking two people.

According to the Department of Justice’s website, sex trafficking is punishable by 10 to 15 years in prison.