Utah man charged for allegedly sex trafficking victim while incarcerated

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — A Utah man was recently indicted for allegedly forcing a victim to engage in “commercial sex acts” and give him the money, all while he was behind bars for a different offense.

Aaron Kern, 27, was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges on March 11, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.

The alleged incidents took place between November 2023 and December 2024, while Kern was in custody for an “unrelated state offense.” Kern is accused of recruiting and threatening a victim to engage in commercial sex acts and give him the proceeds, according to the attorney’s office.

“During the investigation, law enforcement found online prostitution advertisements that Kern dictated and ordered the victim to place,” the attorney’s office said in a press release.

Officials said Kern allegedly threatened the victim with violence — reportedly saying he would “break [their] face” if they didn’t listen to him — and threatened the safety of the victim’s family members.

“Investigators also found in Kern’s jail cell a handwritten contract that he wanted the victim to sign as well as handwritten notes and journal entries describing how he needed to break the victim down,” the attorney’s office said.

Kern is also accused of forcing the victim to smuggle in a controlled substance into the correctional facility where he was being held.

The Washington County Drug/Gang Task Force is investigating the case.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.