TAMPA — A 27-year-old St. Petersburg man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for sex trafficking in children.
Derrick L. Hayes, conspired with his girlfriend, Keosha Renee Jones, 22, in 2012 and 2013 to arrange for two 14-year-old children to have sex with his associates in a St. Petersburg home, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. With Hayes' knowledge, Jones took the victims to a hotel, where they engaged in sex acts for money, prosecutors say. Hayes visited the hotel regularly and collected the cash. Hayes beat and threatened Jones and also threatened the teens.
Hayes, who pleaded guilty in September, must register as a sex offender and will remain under lifetime court supervision after his release from prison.
Jones also pleaded guilty. Her sentencing is set for Jan. 9.