A Topeka man was sentenced Monday to 3.8 years in federal prison for conspiring to operate an interstate sex trafficking business, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Barry M. Johnson, 40, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy.
In his plea, he admitted conspiring with co-defendants to run a Topeka-based prostitution business that operated in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
At times, as many as 20 females were working as prostitutes for the organization. The leader of the organization rented houses where some of the prostitutes were allowed to live. The organization used Web sites, social media and cell phones to advertise sexual services and to keep track of prostitutes.
Johnson admitted he recruited and groomed potential sex workers for the organization. Johnson would notify the leader of the conspiracy he had a female who was ready to work and they would negotiate how much he would be paid.
Co-defendants include:
• Frank Boswell, 43, Topeka, Kan., who is set for jury trial March 7.
• Michaela Hekekia, 37, Topeka, who is set for sentencing March 20.
• Rachel Flenniken, 34, Topeka, Kan., who is awaiting sentencing.
• Sean P. Hall, 47, Topeka, Kan., who is awaiting sentencing.
• Shannon Nelson, 23, Topeka, Kan., who is set for sentencing May 1.
Beall commended the Topeka Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.