Men plead guilty in scheme involving young girls

POCATELLO, Idaho — The U.S. Department of Justice says two men who arranged to have two Idaho girls travel to California for sex after contacting them on the Internet pleaded guilty Tuesday to traveling in interstate commerce with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced that Wayne Allen Ginnis, 29, of Seattle, and James Russell Ashley, 47, of Augusta, Ga., made the pleas. Each faces up to 30 years in prison.

Authorities say in May 2011 Ginnis purchased bus tickets for the 12- and 13-year-old girls to travel to Hollywood, Calif. Police intercepted the girls in Utah and returned them to their parents.

Authorities say Ginnis and Ashley purchased tickets to travel to Idaho. But Ginnis was arrested in Las Vegas and Ashley in Idaho.

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