Former D.C. cop pleads guilty to prostituting teens

WASHINGTON — A former D.C. cop told a United States District Court Judge that he’s guilty of prostituting two teenage girls.

Linwood Barnhill Jr’s guilty plea is part of a plea agreement that could put him in jail for seven years if the Judge Rosemary Collyer accepts the deal.

Barnhill was arrested last December after fellow police officers found a missing 16-year-old girl along with another 15-year-old girl in his bedroom at his Southeast D.C. apartment. The girls told police Barnhill picked them up, promising them work as models. Then, later, sought to pimp them out for sex to older men.

The 16-year-old never engaged in prostitution, but the other did.

Barnhill was also found with semi-nude and nude photos of the 15-year old girl and a 17-year girl.

He also plead guilty to one count of child pornography, after a video was found on his smartphone of the 17-year old performing oral sex on him.

After entering the plea deal, Judge Collyer said she isn’t sure about the terms of it. As she reviews it, she said she may want to hear from the victims to find out their reaction to the agreement.

“This is not a victimless crime,” said Collyer.

If the judge doesn’t accept the plea, the case could go to trial and Barnhill could face up to 11 years in prison.

If the deal is accepted, sentencing will take place on Sept. 4.

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