A man from Southern Utah appeared in court facing federal sex trafficking charges. Aaron Kern, 27, of St. George, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 11, 2025. During his initial appearance, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Kohler ordered his detention.
Court documents allege that between November 2023 and December 2024, Kern recruited and violently threatened a victim to engage in commercial sex acts while he was incarcerated for an unrelated state offense. He allegedly forced the victim to provide him with a large portion of the proceeds from these acts. Additionally, Kern coerced the victim into attempting to smuggle suboxone into the correctional facility where he was held.
When the victim resisted participating in commercial sex acts, Kern reportedly threatened her with violence. He allegedly told her: “obviously the only thing that is going to work is me breaking your face when you don’t want to listen,” and “you are going to have a lot of days where you are drinking through a straw.” Further threats were made regarding her family’s safety.
The investigation uncovered online prostitution advertisements dictated by Kern and placed by the victim at his instruction. In his jail cell, investigators found a handwritten contract intended for the victim's signature along with notes describing how he planned to manipulate her.
Acting United States Attorney Felice Viti of the District of Utah announced these developments. The Washington County Drug/Gang Task Force is investigating this case, while Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Burton is prosecuting it.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
