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Minneapolis Man Charged in Prostitution Ring

A Minneapolis man has been charged in connection with a prostitution ring after he was stopped by authorities on I-94 in Valley City, North Dakota.

Ronnel Johnson, 31, was driving a rental vehicle when he was pulled over by the North Dakota Highway Patrol on January 26, 2016.

Johnson and his female passenger were traveling from Minneapolis to Williston, North Dakota, but gave conflicting stories about the purpose of their trip.

During the traffic stop, a search of the vehicle revealed cell phones containing text messages that implicated Johnson in prostitution. The phones also contained sexually explicit photographs of at least two women that matched advertisements on backpage.com.

One of the victims depicted in the photographs reported that Johnson had previously transported her to Williston for prostitution.

Johnson has pleaded guilty to one count of transportation for the purposes of prostitution and faces up to 10 years in prison, lifetime supervised release, and/or a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing has been set for April 18, 2016, at the U.S. District Court in Fargo.

The case was investigated by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Minneapolis Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Puhl is prosecuting the case.

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