Brian Lee Kersten, 61, of Pleasant Valley, Wis. pleaded guilty last fall to two felony counts of engaging in the sex trafficking of a person and aiding and abetting labor trafficking. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Kersten received a 48- and 53-month prison sentence for each charge, respectively. His sentence will be served concurrently, meaning he will serve prison time for both sentences at the same time. <\/p>\n
The case also marked the first labor trafficking conviction and sentencing in Minnesota. <\/p>\n
Washington County Attorney Pete Orputs office has ramped up its focus on prosecuting sex trafficking by creating a special unit tasked with prosecuting cases ranging from adults who troll the web for underage girls and boys to traffickers who hire out adults and minors for sex. <\/p>\n
Orput said in a statement that the case against Kersten is part of a wider trend in Minnesota. <\/p>\n
This case merely shows the depth and breadth of the sex trafficking occurring in this state, Orput said. We, as a concerned public, need to acknowledge this and persevere in doing all we can to bring labor and sex traffickers to the justice they deserve. <\/p>\n
Kersten, who owned a Baldwin Veterinary Clinic, admitted he transported women from China to the Extended Stay hotel in Woodbury last summer. Prosecutors charged him in September. <\/p>\n
Imran Ali, the Washington County assistant attorney who prosecuted the case, said in a statement that Kersten was part of an international conspiracy to bring foreign nationals into the state where they would work as prostitutes. <\/p>\n
An investigation found Kersten had been working with a Chinese national named Shixin Zhang who lived in New York. <\/p>\n
Authorities said Kersten would give a cut of his profits to the New York madame for women he transported from the East Cost to Twin Cities hotels and advertised their services on the infamous website backpages.com. <\/p>\n
According to court filings, a family member told Wisconsin law enforcement officials that Kersten had been bringing young girls from China to work in massage parlors. <\/p>\n
We have to remember that these are not victimless crimes, Ali said. All these women being trafficked are indeed victims. <\/p>\n
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Wisconsin Veterinarian sentenced 4 years for labor, sex trafficking - Woodbury Bulletin<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brian Lee Kersten, 61, of Pleasant Valley, Wis. pleaded guilty last fall to two felony counts of engaging in the sex trafficking of a person and aiding and abetting labor trafficking. On Wednesday, Kersten received a 48- and 53-month prison sentence for each charge, respectively. Continue reading