Kevin Murphy, Leader Correspondent
A Keshena man was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to six years in prison for facilitating underage prostitution.
Brian L. Kelley, 36, pleaded guilty in February to one count of inducing or coercing a female under 18 years of age to engage in prostitution between 2010 and 2015.
Kelley faced a maximum 10-year sentence, but Chief U.S. District Judge William Griesbach imposed six years after Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Humble and Kelley’s attorney, Aaron Schenk, requested a six-year term after Kelley agreed to name additional minor victims.
Kelley “fully cooperated in identifying all victims,” according to Dean Puschnig, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office. Puschnig did not disclose the number of victims involved in the case.
According to the plea agreement and other documents filed with the court, Kelley used his position as owner of Legends Bait Shop and the Fades and Braids barber shop to hire minors for the purpose of paying them in return for sexual activities.
In imposing the sentence, Griesbach noted the serious nature of the charges and that the sentence is in the best interest of the public and especially the victims, stating “the real damage here is to the victims,” according to a statement released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Calls to Schenk were not returned by the Leader’s deadline Wednesday.
According to the plea agreement, Kelley paid a 14-year-old girl $5 to $10 to sweep up his barber shop. Shortly after she began working, Kelley asked her to have sex with him and paid her $25 and $30. Kelley subsequently began to have sex regularly with the teen, contacting her by phone, text or Facebook.
When Kelley asked the girl to come into “work,” she understood it to mean having sex for money, according to court documents.
After the girl turned 16, Kelley continued to have sex with her sometimes in the backroom of his newly opened bait shop. Other times they had sex in his vehicle. Kelley once paid the girl to have sex with another minor, according to court documents, and Kelley discussed involving the girl in sexual activity with him and his wife.
Kelley admitted to knowing the girl was a minor when they had sex and acknowledged he persuaded or coerced her and other minors to have sex for money. He told the girl not to tell anyone about their arrangement and if asked she was to deny engaging in any sexual activity with Kelley and instead say she was sweeping or mopping at the store.
Following the prison term, Kelley must serve 10 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Menominee Tribal Police and the FBI.