LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An Arkansas man now faces more than a decade in prison after being convicted for his involvement in sex trafficking and illegal drug distribution.
After a two-day trial, 74-year-old Thomas Ray Kelso of Searcy was convicted of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to reports, an investigation by the Central Arkansas Drug Task Force had previously shown that Kelso would oftentimes deliver meth to an apartment complex in Searcy which he owned.
He also allegedly exploited female occupants of the apartment complex and forced them into "performing sex acts" so that the electricity would not be shut off and they could satisfy their rent obligations, or get illegal drugs.
The investigation also showed how when one woman refused Kelso's advances, he then pulled her electric meter and cut off her power. He also reportedly hired a woman to recruit other women so that he could then get them to engage in various sex acts.
Kelso was initially indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023 and was later found guilty on three counts of sex trafficking and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
He will be sentenced at a later date and faces several fines and a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
