OKLAHOMA CITY – Investigators say they busted an illegal sex ring in the metro after a woman was allegedly using the Yellow Pages to reel in solicitors.
The alleged ring leader and three clients have been arrested after a federal grand jury indicted them.
They are all charged with conspiracy and child sex trafficking because some of the prostitutes working for the organization are minors.
In fact, officials say the escort service included 14 and 15-year-old girls.
Prosecutors say it is not hard to find a listing for an escort service in the phone book, and many of them are part of an organized illegal sex ring.
A federal grand jury indictment details how an alleged madam and her pimps have been selling sex in Oklahoma City.
The indictment alleges the leader of the group is Tonya Gay Gum, who goes by the name ‘Carmen.’
Investigators say her businesses have names like “Asian Delights,” “A Spicy Temptation” and “Ladies by Mercedes,” selling young girls for sex.
“Individuals who are involved in prostitution are just getting younger and younger and it appears these girls were that magic age of 16 to 17-years-old, which really puts any potential Johns in much hotter water than if these were adult prostitutes,” Brian Bates said.
Bates runs JohnTV.com and follows the arrests of Johns and prostitutes in the metro.
“Anytime you’re using girls of this age, younger, that are going to be in higher demand, you can charge more for them. And there’ll certainly be a higher demand for them, and you’re going to make a lot more money,” Bates said.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Homeland Security started checking in on Carmen and traced phone numbers back to the men requesting her services.
The indictment alleges that Truong Duong paid for sex with a 15-year-old prostitute at his home multiple times.
William Baker is accused of the same.
“We have several girls who have been lured into this lifestyle. We had people who were advertising for these girls, dropping these girls off, collecting the money, providing protection for these girls. This was an organized effort,” Bates said.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth John.
Child sex trafficking and conspiracy carry up to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Correction: In the original video there were some shots of the ‘Yellow Book’. That publication is not associated with this report nor the criminal investigation. We regret the error.