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Ark. woman admits guilt in sex trafficking ring

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brittany lawson, Hot springs, sex trafficking

Updated: 10/12/2012 3:30 pm

Published: 10/12/2012 3:28 pm

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) - An Arkansas woman has pleaded guilty to helping run a violent nationwide sex trafficking ring that solicited customers for prostitutes as young as age 17.

Brittany Lawson, of Hot Springs, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking in federal court in Council Bluffs.

She faces a lengthy prison term when she is sentenced because the charge carries a maximum of life in prison. But prosecutors agreed any recommended sentence should be shortened because she was under the coercion of co-defendant Johnelle Bell, described as a violent New Jersey pimp and mastermind of the ring.

Bell has pleaded not guilty and faces trial next month.

Lawson admitted that she posted ads on backpage.com soliciting customers in Iowa and elsewhere, recruited prostitutes, secured rental cars and rented motel rooms.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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doburrow3970 - 1/7/2013 5:35 PM

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Oh my. This girl used to be my best friend. :( so sad to see that she went down this path.

ashadeofpurple - 10/26/2012 1:40 PM

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To imply that an underage lady or man is capable of becoming a prostitute because of a choice they make, is absurd. The law says that legal sexual innercourse does not occur if a person is underage, or under the influence of drugs or liquor. Prostitution is also illegal. This is a horrendous crime, that involves money and power hungry mongrels that have no empathy for another human. Is all for the money and power.

spyingonyou - 10/19/2012 9:05 AM

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Why care if they are black or white ? A crime is a crime no matter what color you are !

itsjustme - 10/15/2012 1:09 PM

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once again, blackandproud showed how ignorant they are. Sex slaves ARE forced into sex, not like you envisioned. And yes, the pimp, the violent pimp, IS black.

ArkansasYankee - 10/14/2012 6:57 PM

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bandp; LifeNArkansas and Ike16 are right. NJ says he is black, and his picture proves it. By the way, happy birthday General Ike! Same as mine.

LifeNArkansas - 10/14/2012 5:04 PM

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This is the mug shot. You decide. http://mugshots.com/US-Counties/New-Jersey/Atlantic-County-NJ/Johnelle-L-Bell.5056794.html

Leatherneck - 10/14/2012 9:55 AM

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Obviously black and proud knows nothing about the sex trade and sex slavery business, yes business.

Ike16 - 10/13/2012 11:50 AM

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Apparently the state of New Jersey believes one Johnelle Bell (AKA Johnelle Hall) to be black according to their website. One of you is forgiven, the other is not. Johnelle is not and will stand trial.

sickofthissht - 10/13/2012 10:28 AM

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The women were prostitutes not slaves they chose this path for themselves although im sure there wasnt much of a revolving door policy they were not kidnapped and held hostage. The man is not black either i understand your need to take shots a blacks whenever you can and i enjoy reading how ignorant you are but do yourself a favor and research before you post. "keep your mouth shut and people just think your dumb but when you open up your mouth you remove all doubt."

ArkansasYankee - 10/12/2012 9:49 PM

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Johnelle, a violent NJ pimp. Yes, slavery is still alive and well; but instead of using chains they use drugs and violence. And it appears in this case, the slave owner is a black man.

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