WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was charged today with attempting to recruit and entice teenage girls to work as prostitutes, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Brandon W. Dennis, 25, Wichita, is charged with two counts of attempting to recruit teenagers to perform commercial sex acts. In one count, the victim is identified as “Jane Doe,” a 17-year-old Wichita girl. In the other case, the victim is identified as “Rissa,” a name used by a detective with the Wichita Police Department who was working undercover.

A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita alleges that the 17-year-old victim met Dennis in the summer of 2011 at a party. She told him her age and they became friends on Facebook. On Oct. 23 and Oct. 24, 2011, she received several messages on Facebook from Dennis. He told her she could make up to $800 a day working as a prostitute.

One message from Dennis read: “become a hoe n get paid n get rich.”

When she declined his offer, he threatened her and sent her a message that said: “u jus nothing but a dog that needs the rite trainin n life.”

On Oct. 24, 2011, a police detective accessed the victim’s Facebook account and found a phone number for Dennis. Posing as “Rissa,” the detective text messaged Dennis. Via text and phone conversations, Dennis offered “Rissa” the opportunity to work as a prostitute. In one message he said: “we can make this happn n get this money nation wide girl.”

Dennis arranged to meet “Rissa” at the Drury Inn, 400 W. Douglas in Wichita. He was arrested when he arrived there.

If convicted, he faces a minimum penalty of 15 years and a fine up to $250,000. The Wichita/Sedgwick County Exploited and Missing Child Unit - Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting.

 

 

Return to Top