Jerome Kent Sentenced

Jerome Davis Kent, a 51-year-old man from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been sentenced to 30 months in custody for his involvement in transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes.

According to the United States Attorney Ron Parsons, Kent was sentenced on February 8, 2018, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier. In addition to his 30-month sentence, Kent will also serve 6 years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Kent’s troubles began in September 2017 when he was indicted for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion, as well as transportation for illegal sexual activity and related crimes by a federal grand jury. He pled guilty on October 19, 2017, and has been held accountable for his actions.

The case against Kent stems from an incident in October 2016, when he knowingly transported an adult female victim from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Marshall, Minnesota. Kent’s intention was to transport the woman for the purpose of engaging in acts of prostitution. He supplied the woman with heroin and kept the money she received from her commercial sex acts, demonstrating a clear exploitation of the victim for his own gain.

The investigation into Kent’s activities was a collaborative effort between the Sioux Falls Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Clapper prosecuted the case, ensuring that Kent was held accountable for his crimes.

Kent’s sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of sex trafficking and transportation crimes. The fact that he was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service following his sentencing demonstrates the seriousness with which these crimes are taken. As the justice system continues to crack down on such offenses, it is clear that those who engage in these activities will face significant consequences.

In the end, justice has been served in the case of Jerome Davis Kent. His sentence of 30 months in custody, 6 years of supervised release, and $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund reflects the gravity of his crimes and serves as a warning to others who would engage in similar activities. The people of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the wider community can take comfort in knowing that those who commit such heinous crimes will be held accountable.