Ottumwa man faces 40 year sentence for sex trafficking [Video]

DES MOINES, Iowa — Darnell Keith Jones of Ottumwa, 32, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison Sept. 6 for sex trafficking, enticement of minors and using the internet to facilitate prostitution.

Jones pleaded guilty to all six counts he was charged with before his initial trial in April.

Court documents say that Jones victimized at least five individuals from 2018 to 2023 which included two children and three adults in the states of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.

In Iowa, Jones went through Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa.

Jones was successful in sex trafficking one adult and one child.

He would use assault, threats and other harassment to force his victims to engage in sex acts in exchange for money.

One victim was threatened with a knife, another was …