NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

JOHN F. WOOD

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

FEBRUARY 2, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESCUE PROJECT

CHILLICOTHE MAN CHARGED WITH TRANSPORTING

TWO MINORS FOR PROSTITUTION

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Chillicothe, Mo., man has been charged in federal court for transporting two minor females across state lines for prostitution.

Randal G. Jennings, 42, of Chillicothe, was charged in a complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Jennings was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009, following an undercover prostitution sting at a motel in Johnson County, Kan. Responding to an ad on the Internet, an undercover law enforcement officer arranged to meet two girls for sexual activity. Shortly afterward, the affidavit says, Jennings dropped off two minor females at the agreed location. The two females, who were each 17 years old, agreed to perform sexual acts for $300. They were taken into protective custody.

Jennings returned afterward, driving the same white van in which he had earlier brought the minors to the hotel, and was arrested.

According to the affidavit, both victims claimed they had been picked up by Jennings in the past and taken to other hotels for prostitution.

Wood cautioned that the charge contained in this complaint is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia L. Cordes. It was investigated by the Overland Park, Kan., Police Department and the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

****************

This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at