Sorority advisor and 6 others indicted in HBCU prostitution ring
Alecia Johnson, who was the subject of an investigation on allegations of sex trafficking, was indicted in the scandal, which officials believe involved potential members of AKA sorority
More than half a dozen people could be facing jail time due to an alleged prostitution ring scandal at Fort Valley State University in Georgia linked to a graduate adviser for the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority who is believed to have involved women who were joining the organization.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Alecia Jeanetta Johnson, 49, was indicted last Friday on charges of prostitution and pimping. Six men who were allegedly involved in sex trafficking and are facing charges as well.
READ MORE: Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority issues statement about sex ring rumors at Fort Valley State University
Police believe that Johnson, an AKA graduate advisor served as a leader in the prostitution ring. During the time she served as an executive assistant to the president of Fort Valley State University, she allegedly performed sex acts in exchange for money herself and then conspired to help to provide sexual services to prominent men in the area, just south of Atlanta.
This story originally broke last April after it was discovered that a group of female students seeking money to pay their membership fees to join the sorority were recruited into sex work by Johnson as a source of income. Johnson had been an employee at the school since 2004 and earned approximately $64,000 annually at the time of her resignation in April 2018, according to RollingOut.com.
READ MORE: Lawyer defends woman at center of Alpha Kappa Alpha sex scandal: ‘She’s not a pimp’
At the initial time of the scandal, Johnson’s attorney Adrian Patrick denied that she could have been involved in a prostitution ring.
“I just think that’s incredulous,” he said. “I mean, I know people want to be in a sorority. I got that part. I just don’t think you’re going to sell your body. Plus, it’s inconsistent with the reputation of Alpha Kappa Alpha.”
But after a yearlong investigation of the allegations, Johnson was indicted and charged with six counts of prostitution, three counts of pimping and two counts of solicitation of sodomy.
The six men allegedly associated with her scheme were identified as Ernest Harvey, 47, Kenneth Howard, 56, Ryan Jenkins, 35, Charles Jones, 57, Arthur James Nance Jr., 46 and Devontae Little, 26. They were all also indicted on one count each of solicitation of sodomy.
If convicted Johnson would face a maximum of up to 12 months in prison and be made to pay up to a $1,000 fine per count.
In the wake of the indictment, AKA leaders withdrew the Fort Valley State University chapter’s privileges, “pending the outcome of the investigation.” It is unclear what Johnson’s status will be with the sorority as a result of the charges.
READ MORE: Let’s hold black sorority and fraternity leaders accountable
