Man trafficking teen for sex heading to federal prison

 Wells Wells
Wells Wells

FAYETTEVILLE -- A Fayetteville man accused of prostituting a teenage girl was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison and five years supervised release Thursday in U.S. District Court in Fort Smith.

Doncouri Wells, 38, pleaded guilty Nov. 21 to sexual trafficking of a child. Wells faced up to life in prison.

Fayetteville police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were alerted June 8 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to an advertisement for prostitution posted on a website under the "escort" section that depicted a suspected minor from Fayetteville.

Law enforcement found the girl and confirmed she was 16 years old. During an interview the girl said she had been engaging in sexual acts for money in Northwest Arkansas. She identified her "pimp" by the street name of "D." She told police "D" took digital photographs of her and posted them online under his account for the purpose of prostitution. The girl told police in early June she had sex with several different adult men in exchange for money in a room rented by "D" at a Fayetteville motel.

The girl told police she told "D" she was 16 before he posted her photos. She identified "D" as Doncouri Wells from a photo lineup. During the subsequent investigation, FBI agents were able to identify the user of the advertisements as Wells. On July 17, Wells admitted to promoting the prostitution of the teen.

At the time of the crime, Wells was on parole after a conviction for possession of methamphetamine. Wells has at least two prior felony convictions for violent or drug-related offenses and is considered a career offender.

Wells' wife, Sherwanda Body Wells, was also arrested and charged in connection with the case. Sherwanda Wells pleaded guilty Jan. 27 to aiding and abetting another in the use of interstate communications in aid of racketeering. She is awaiting sentencing with no date set.

NW News on 03/27/2015

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