Modern Day Slavery
A Wisconsin equine veterinarian was sentenced to more than 48 months in prison for sex trafficking Chinese women.
Brian Lee Kersten, of Pleasant Valley, is Minnesota’s first labor trafficking conviction. He pleaded guilty in 
October to two felonies – engaging in the sex trafficking of an individual and aiding and abetting labor trafficking.
A judge sentenced Kersten to 48 and 53 months in prison, respectively. He will serve the sentences at the same time with at least three years behind bars.
The state’s investigation revealed Kersten was part of an international conspiracy to bring Chinese girls into Minnesota to prostitute them.
In 2016, the public reported more than 8,000 cases of human trafficking to Polaris in the U.S. That is a 35% jump from the year prior. The group attributes the increase to a heightened awareness of the problem. The non-profit’s mission is to end modern day slavery.
Kersten operated Baldwin Veterinary Clinic for 25-years.
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