Kansas City woman is accused of forcing teenage girls to work as prostitutes
Jackson County prosecutors have accused an 18-year-old Kansas City woman of forcing two teenage girls to work as prostitutes for several months on Independence Avenue.
Jessi C. Larkie faces two counts of sexual trafficking of a child under 18 in connection with incidents that occurred between March 20 and May 13.
According to court records, a 15-year-old girl told investigators she met Larkie on Facebook. Larkie told the girl that she would be her best friend and asked the girl to move in with her. The girl agreed because she thought it was going to be only the two of them. The teen later learned that Larkie’s boyfriend also lived there.
After moving in, the girl was unable to find work because she did not have a Social Security card. A week later, Larkie suggested that the girl could make money working as a prostitute.
Larkie ordered the girl to stand at an Independence Avenue corner near a fast-food restaurant and a church and to “look cute.”
The girl was instructed to only look for cars with four doors that would allow Larkie to get into the vehicle with her. Larkie approached potential clients, telling them the prices for various sexual acts. Larkie did all the negotiating.
The sex acts were performed inside the client’s vehicle, at a hotel or back at Larkie’s residence. Larkie always was present, took the money and later gave it to her boyfriend. The girl never was paid, but Larkie and her boyfriend bought the girl fast food.
The girl told investigators she participated in approximately 80 to 90 sex acts at Larkie’s direction. Larkie provided condoms. Larkie posted information promoting the girl on dating websites.
A second girl, a 14-year-old runaway from Overland Park, told investigators that Larkie also made her work as a prostitute and that Larkie made the 14-year-old lie about her age to clients.
Glenn E. Rice: 816-234-4341, @GRicekcstar
This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Kansas City woman is accused of forcing teenage girls to work as prostitutes."