Detention facility officer charged with promoting prostitution

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - A man whose job is putting people behind bars could be facing that same fate.

Jackson County prosecutors charged 23-year-old Jacques A. Baker Wednesday with promoting prostitution. Baker is accused of running a prostitution ring out of his Independence home.

LINK | Baker's Charing Documents

His roommate, 28-year-old Samantha Thongkham, is also charged in the case.

Baker worked for two years as a detention facility officer for the Kansas City Police Department, according to a department news release.

Court records say Independence police gave Kansas City's vice section a tip that Baker and Thongkham were running an escort service called "Candy Entertainment."

An undercover officer later met with Baker and Thongkham about getting a job. The pair allegedly described how money is divided and how appointments work. Baker allegedly told the officer that if she did "extras," he would get 10 percent.

Baker and Thongkham allegedly said they do not send girls to motels because of police stings.

A few days later, Baker allegedly sent the officer a text message asking about "escorting history, breast size and favorite sexual position." Baker then allegedly told her that if could get a "free trial" he would send more clients so she could make a lot of money.

A police spokesperson said Baker is suspended without pay.