Man charged in child prostitution ring pleads not guilty

Man charged in child prostitution ring pleads not guilty

Christopher Hutton is seen during his arraignment at the Regional Justice Center in Kent, Wash. on September 19, 2007.

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Story Published: Sep 19, 2007 at 10:47 AM PDT

Story Updated: Sep 19, 2007 at 10:47 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff

KENT, Wash. -- A man accused of forcing teenage girls into prostitution and beating those who resisted pleaded not guilty Wednesday to all charges.

Christopher Hutton has been been charged with kidnapping, rape, and multiple counts of promoting prostitution. A judge set his bail at $750,000.

A nine-month undercover sting led police to Hutton.

"It's really a parent's worst nightmare," said Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan.

That nightmare played out in real life for at least four girls. Police said Hutton often targeted the vulnerable ones, often young or homeless teenagers.

Hutton beat the girls if they refused to walk the street, according to police. And when they were finished working, he took their money.

"I can only imagine. It had to be a horrendous life and had to be very scary for each one of them," Strachan said.

According to court documents, one of the 16-year-old girls who Hutton allegedly forced into prostitution told police that all of her money went to Hutton and she had trouble getting food and basic necessities.

The teenager recounted an incident in which she was severely beaten by a man who paid her for sex and said she was relieved when she was arrested by an undercover police officer, the documents said.

Another girl said she was kidnapped by Hutton while walking to a tanning salon from her home. Hutton allegedly forced the girl into his car and then threatened her. The teenager told investigators that she never wanted to work as a prostitute but was scared of Hutton.

Prosecutors have also charged Michael Veidt in connection with one of the alleged kidnappings. On Tuesday at the Regional Justice Center in Kent he also pleaded not guilty.

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