Kent Police arrest ex-University of Washington player Venoy Overton for allegedly promoting prostitution

Kent Police arrested Venoy Overton, a former University of Washington basketball player, Thursday for investigation of second-degree promoting prostitution, a class C felony.

Kent detectives arrested Overton without incident at 3 p.m. Thursday in a South Seattle neighborhood as part of a three-week investigation, according to a Kent Police media release.

If charged and convicted, Overton faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Kent Police detectives began their investigation of Overton in May when undercover officers contacted an 18-year-old woman for prostitution activity on Pacific Highway South, a well-known area for prostitution in Kent.

While speaking with the woman, officers learned that she had been brought to the area by her boyfriend who directed her to perform acts of prostitution. She identified her boyfriend as Overton.

The young woman also told officers that she had been given specific instructions of what sex acts to perform and what to charge, and had returned a portion of the money gained back to Overton. The woman further disclosed that she had been brought to the area to prostitute on two prior occasions.

Following their first meeting with the woman, detectives obtained additional evidence allegedly linking Overton to the crime.

“This investigation and arrest highlights the need to continue to aggressively investigate and enforce the laws regarding human trafficking offenses,” said Kent Police Lt. Pat Lowery.

Overton is being held at the Kent city jail and is likely to appear before a judge on Friday.

Seattle Police arrested Overton earlier this year and he was charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor. That incident involved two 16-year-old girls he met online.

The UW suspended Overton from the Pacific-10 Conference tournament because of the incident, but he was later allowed to play in the NCAA tournament. Overton is a graduate of Franklin High School in Seattle.

Contact Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052.

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