Shannon Nelson, Conspiracy, Kansas 2015

A Topeka woman, Shannon Nelson, 23, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to operate an interstate sex trafficking business, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Nelson plead guilty to one count of conspiracy Monday in connection with her role in a Topeka-based prostitution business. In her plea, she admitted to conspiring with co-defendants to operate the organization, which at times employed as many as 20 females as prostitutes.

The leader of the organization rented houses where some of the prostitutes were allowed to live. The organization used websites, social media, and cell phones to advertise sexual services and to keep track of prostitutes.

Nelson admitted she worked for co-defendant Frank Boswell as a commercial sex worker. She became a trusted member of Boswell’s organization and lived in one of Boswell’s houses. She posted advertisements for herself and other women on a website offering sexual services. She used cell phones to communicate with Boswell and others in the course of operating the prostitution business.

Federal agents encountered Nelson July 15, 2015, at a Motel 6 in Omaha, where she and other women had gone to engage in prostitution.

Nelson faces a penalty of up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. Sentencing is set for Oct. 24.

Co-defendant Frank Boswell, 42, is awaiting trial. Co-defendant Rachel Flenniken, 34, is set for sentencing Oct. 17. Co-defendant Sean P. Hall, 46, is set for sentencing Oct. 3.

Beall commended the Topeka Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

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