Wisconsin Veterinarian Sentenced For Sex, Labor Trafficking

County Attorney Pete Orput announced Wednesday that Brian Lee Kersten, 61, of Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, was sentenced today in Washington County District Court.

Kersten, a veterinarian for many years, had entered guilty pleas in October, 2016, to a count of engaging in the sex trafficking of an individual and a count of aiding and abetting labor trafficking.

Kersten was sentenced to 48 and 53 months in prison respectively, according to a news release. This case is the first labor trafficking conviction and sentence in Minnesota state court.

The case was prosecuted by Imran Ali of the Major Crimes Unit of the Washington County Attorney’s office.

"Kersten was part of an international conspiracy to bring foreign nationals into Minnesota for the purpose of prostituting them," Ali said in a statement. "We have to remember that these are NOT victimless crimes. All these women being trafficked are indeed victims."

"This case merely shows the depth and breadth of the sex trafficking occurring in this state," Oput said. "We, as a concerned public, need to acknowledge this and persevere in doing all we can to bring labor and sex traffickers to the justice they deserve."

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