NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Nashville woman has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for sex trafficking four underage girls.

According to a news release from the U.S. District Court, 47-year old Teresa Ann West operated an illegal prostitution business in Nashville and Pigeon Forge for a number of years.

One of the teenagers she employed was a 17-year old homeless girl, whom she promised to help. Instead, West worked her as a prostitute and introduced her to crack cocaine.

West pleaded guilty in May and was sentenced on Wednesday in federal court in Nashville.

After prison, West will serve ten years of supervised release and will have to register as a sex offender and participate in treatment.

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