PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS (KCTV) -
An FBI investigation is under way into a possible prostitution bust in Prairie Village, KS, involving a 17-year-old girl.
According to Prairie Village police, a 17-year-old runaway was being driven around town by two adults and her body was sold for sex.
Authorities set up a sting operation and she's been rescued from the alleged awful situation as the suspects now sit in jail.
Tony Albarez Rogers Jr., 24, and Danyelle Putman, 20, appeared in Johnson County Court Friday through the court video system. Both were charged with promoting prostitution, but what makes the case stand out is the alleged victim, a 17-year-old runaway, somehow got caught up in a life of prostitution.
"Just like any metropolitan area, we are going to deal with those issues. The good thing is, with proactive community and law enforcement, we are able to get the juvenile back to their family or safe setting," Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe said.
Howe said he can't talk about the details of the case until it moves through the court system, but he said, nowadays, the prostitution business operates with just a click of a button.
"One of the negatives behind the internet is, many times, communications and these types of crimes occur via the internet and so law enforcement has taken the opportunity to be proactive and pose as johns and then help facilitate these stings where they catch individuals promoting prostitution," Howe said.
Not much is known about the suspects' background except that they lived in Missouri and there could be additional charges filed in federal court if authorities determine the criminal activity crossed state lines.
"Many say there are more serious crimes out there. But we take a position you don't want this to get a hold in community and generally leads to other problems if they do," Howe said.
The FBI task force is now handling the investigation.
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Tony Rogers and Danyelle Putman
