VANCOUVER, Wash. — A 23-year-old man accused of forcing a 17-year-old girl into prostitution pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced Monday in Vancouver to 14 months in prison.
Kenneth H. White pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment and bail jumping in a plea deal with prosecutors. He had faced charges of kidnapping and promoting sexual abuse of a minor. White’s lawyer said the prosecution lacked evidence to convict him on all the charges.
The Columbian reported that a 38-year-old co-defendant, Dorothy Phillips, pleaded guilty last week to harassment and permitting prostitution and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
Court documents said White held the girl against her will at his Vancouver home and Phillips took her to Portland and Gresham, Ore., last March for sex in exchange for money.
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