An Ankeny man was arrested early Saturday in connection with an investigation of prostitution at a West Des Moines motel.
Jacob Michael Kerr, 22, of 620 N.W. Pine Road, Ankeny, was charged with pimping, human trafficking and pandering.
Kerr’s arrest comes as part of an investigation that also saw Allie Shannon Hedges, 23, of Urbandale arrested Dec. 9 for prostitution at the same West Des Moines motel, as reported in ThePerryNews.com.
According to court records, Hedges “was originally located” by officers in the Entertainment Response Unit of the West Des Moines Police Department “on an escort website,” where Hedges allegedly “used terminology, based on the officers’ training and experience, associated in sexual acts for sale.”
Hedges allegedly “solicited an officer for sexual acts in return for $700,” according to court records.
At the time of her arrest, Hedges told law enforcement that Kerr was “the one who first speaks with individuals, via text messages, who are interested in the advertisement and meeting up,” according to court records.
While officers were speaking with Hedges at the motel where she said she had been working for about one month, the officers “located Kerr in the parking lot of the hotel,” and Kerr allegedly “admitted to ‘vetting’ the potential customers via text messages to make sure they were not weirdos,” according to court records.
Kerr also “admitted his phone number was posted on the advertisements associated with Hedges,” according to court records.
The cell phones of Hedges and Kerr were seized Dec. 9.
Kerr is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $15,000 cash or surety bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Jan. 17 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
