Toledoan gets 10 years in sex case

5/18/2012

A Toledo man charged in 2010 with forcing a developmentally disabled girl into prostitution was sentenced in U.S. District Court Thursday to more than 10 years in prison while members of his family were sentenced for their role in trying to influence the victim.

Mark A. Fetter, 29, was convicted after pleading guilty in October to sex trafficking of children by force, fraud, or coercion. Authorities say he forced his 17-year-old victim to prostitute herself at the Sunset Motel at 5452 Telegraph Rd. and recruited customers from bars. He was arrested Aug. 16 by Toledo police detectives.

A confidential informant told police a man forced the girl to engage in acts of prostitution at the motel, authorities said.

Judge David Katz also imposed a two-year sentence on Fetter's brother, Kamell Fetter, 27, and three years probation on his mother, Blanche V. Triplett, 47, for witness tampering and obstructing justice.

Fetter's brother and mother were charged with helping to make contact between Fetter and the victim after his arrest in violation of court order. Fetter attempted to encourage the victim not to cooperate with law enforcement, authorities said.