Woman faces prostitution charge

A 43-year-old Kalispell woman could face up to life in prison after allegedly forcing a 13-year-old girl into prostitution to support the woman's drug habit.

Jennifer Ellen Johnson was arrested Saturday and has been charged by the Flathead County Attorney's Office with felony aggravated promotion of prostitution.

According to court documents, she allowed Daniel Parmer Smith to have sex with the girl on multiple occasions in exchange for drugs.

Deputy County Attorney Lori Adams wrote in charging documents that "the deal was that Daniel Smith would bring drugs to the defendant and the defendant sends [the girl] with Daniel Smith to have sex with him."

Smith, 32, was arrested Friday and has been charged with sexual intercourse without consent, sexual assault and accountability to sexual intercourse without consent. Each of the felony charges are punishable by up to life in prison.

The last time Smith is alleged to have had sexual contact with the girl is May 18. The crimes first were reported May 20 when the girl was taken to Kalispell Regional Medical Center by her baby sitter.

The baby sitter told a Kalispell Police Department officer that the girl had told her she had been having sex with Smith, according to court documents. The girl later told a Kalispell detective on May 24 that Johnson has a drug and alcohol problem, which is seen as a motive for the alleged crime.

On Aug. 25, the girl said during another interview that she would see Smith one or two times a week and that he would bring drugs to Johnson.

She said Johnson would send her with Smith to his trailer in Columbia Falls where they would have sex, according to court documents. She said Smith also would allow his 19-year-old friend to have sex with her.

Some of the activity also took place at Johnson's apartment, according to court documents. The 19-year-old friend has not been charged.

Johnson and Smith both are scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 15 in Flathead District Court.

They both are being held in the county jail. Smith's bail has been set at $105,000 while Johnson's is set at $102,000.

In addition to the charge of promoting prostitution, Johnson has also been charged with issuing a bad check, a felony common scheme.

Aggravated promotion of prostitution is punishable by no less than two years and up to life in prison.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.