Columbia man sentenced for sex crimes
A Columbia man was sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole on Thursday for his role in a “prostitution operation that involved sex trafficking a minor victim,” the Western District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
Kenneth Ronald Jones, 26, pleaded guilty to the crimes in August. He admitted to inducing three victims, including a minor, to travel across state lines to engage in prostitution and illicit sexual activity between May 1 and June 1, 2016, the release said.
One of the victims contacted a social worker in June 2016 saying she was being held against her will at a residence known for prostitution in Columbia.
Jones had the victim charge $120 for half an hour, or $160 for a full hour, the release said. The victim would then give $20 to the owners of the residence and the rest of the profit to Jones.
Barry Paul Manthe, 65, and Ronald James Clark, 68, both of Columbia, also pleaded guilty to using the internet to promote a prostitution business that operated out of a Columbia residence. They are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 24, 2019.
