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(The Oregonian/OregonLive)

A Portland woman accused of trafficking her three-year-old child for sex told the FBI she was only trying to rob a prostitution client, federal court records show.

Kelsey Wheeler

Agents arrested Kelsey Christine Wheeler, 27, of Southeast Portland on Friday after an investigation that began in Eugene earlier this month, according to federal court records.

In a probable cause affidavit, the FBI said agents and Eugene police tracked a man, suspected of viewing child pornography, to his house April 13. The man, identified as Barret Spangler, admitted to viewing illicit photos of children and began telling authorities about a sexual encounter in Portland he had with a woman he met on a website known for advertising prostitution services, according to the affidavit.

The man told investigators he met Wheeler, who identified herself online as Kelly Kox, in early January for the encounter at her home in the 12500 block of Southeast Powell Court, according to the affidavit. Through their conversations, the pair discussed taboo sexual fantasies, including children and "mother-daughter" scenarios, according to the affidavit.

At one point, Spangler said Wheeler offered her child for $1,000, and she said must be in the room during the encounter, according to the affidavit. The man also told investigators he paid an internet bill for Wheeler, according to the affidavit.

Portland police detectives, on the same day agents spoke with Spangler, visited Wheeler's home to check on her child, according to the affidavit. She agreed to be questioned by investigators after finding someone to look after her child, according to the affidavit.

Wheeler told agents Spangler had offered $6,000 for an encounter with her child, according to the affidavit. Wheeler said she was angered by the offer because of past abuse she experienced, but she played along with the intention to rob Spangler, according to the affidavit.

The FBI later learned Wheeler was named in a Child Protective Services report from Las Vegas that claimed she was found in a room with a man and a child and all people were wearing "minimal clothing," according to the affidavit.

"When confronted with the evidence of the investigation, Wheeler admitted that it looked 'very bad' for her," according to the affidavit. "She understood why investigators thought she was trafficking her child. Wheeler could not provide any evidence besides her testimony that she did not intend to traffic her daughter," according to the affidavit.

The FBI also received help from the Benton County Sheriff's Office, court records show. Investigators booked Wheeler into a Multnomah County jail where she remains without bail, and she was scheduled for a first appearance in front of a federal magistrate Monday afternoon.

Spangler was not listed in online state and federal court records for any arrest related to child pornography on Monday afternoon. He is not listed as an inmate in jails of Lane, Multnomah or Benton counties.



This post will be updated as news develops.

— Tony Hernandez

thernandez@oregonian.com

503-294-5928

@tonyhreports