Fridley Man, 18, Charged in Prostitution Case

An 18-year-old man from Fridley met a 17-year-old Iowa girl with Asperger syndrome online and encouraged her to come to Minnesota, where prosecutors allege he forced her to have sex with 30 men for money at a downtown St. Paul hotel, according to the Star Tribune.

Tyree Erik Jones faces three prostitution-related charges filed in Ramsey County District Court, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported—including sex trafficking. A 22-year-old St. Paul woman, Bionca Elizabeth-Helen Mixon, faces the same charges, the newspaper said. Prosecutors identified her as Jones' girlfriend, according to the Star Tribune.

Jones and Mixon each could receive sentences as long as 20 years in prison if they are convicted, according to WCCO.