Two Sentenced In Multi-State Prostitution Ring

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The leader of a sex trafficking conspiracy in Kentucky has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Eastern District U-S Attorney Kerry Harvey says 38-year-old Marco Antonio Flores-Benitez was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty this month to conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking.

"We believe that's the first federal sentence for sex trafficking in Kentucky", Harvey said.  "So we certainly hope that (it) sends a message loud and clear to others who might consider this truly egregious conduct and that it would serve as an effective deterrent."

A co-defendant, Roxana Serna-Olea, who is 36, was sentenced on Wednesday to 46 months in prison. She pleaded guilty to persuading someone to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution.

According to court documents, the defendants were accused of recruiting Spanish-speaking women from North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Maryland to become prostitutes.

Two others have entered guilty pleas in the case and are awaiting sentencing.