A Phoenix man has been arrested and faces felony charges for the prostitution of a 16-year-old Casa Grande runaway.
John A. Jeffries, 29, was arrested on Feb. 13 when patrol officers in the area of N. 30th Street and E. Van Buren Street observed the victim walking eastbound with the suspect following close behind.
According to a Phoenix Police report, the area is a known prostitution hub so officers decided to make contact with the victim. When they did, they noticed the suspect start to cross the road.
The victim told police she had run away from her home in Casa Grande and had been brought to Phoenix to work as a prostitute by the suspect. Officers contacted the suspect and were able to determine that he had solicited the teen for prostitution and had also engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim.
Jeffries, who is accused of having sexual conduct with a minor, was booked Saturday on five separate prostitution-related charges. The victim is now in the custody of Arizona Child Protective Services.
Phoenix Police recommended families call the Teen Lifeline Crisis Line at 602-248-8336 or Teen Link at 602-235-9678 for information or assistance on sex slavery and other issues facing teens.
Submitted photo
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