Admitted pimp heading to prison for 12 to 15 years

SALEM – Richard E. Jones, the 45-year-old Lynn man currently serving a prison term for witness intimidation, attempted perjury and deriving earnings from prostitution, pleaded guilty to drug and firearm charges and received a 12-to-15-year prison term.Jones, also known as Edward Jones, formerly of 39A Cottage St., pleaded guilty Friday afternoon in Salem Superior Court to a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, subsequent offense, trafficking over 28 grams of cocaine, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to violate the drug laws in connection with his arrest in August 2006.He was sentenced to serve 12-to-15-years in state prison by Judge Howard J. Whitehead.The charges stem from a search of his home on Aug. 24, 2006 when police found over 28 grams of cocaine, a .38 caliber revolver, 22 grams of marijuana along with a scale and other drug related items within his apartment.Although his apartment was within yards of the Drewicz Elementary School on Hood Street, the state agreed not to prosecute.Authorities began their investigation into Jones? activity in the summer of 2006. State police initiated wiretaps from May through August 2006 as part of their investigation, leading to the drug charges and prostitution ring Jones admitted operating.The judge agreed that the sentence imposed against Jones will run together with the 8-to-10-years prison term he is currently serving after pleading guilty last month to witness intimidation, attempted perjury and deriving earnings from prostitution.In that case, Jones and his accomplice and girlfriend, Rhonda L. Adjutant, 33, ran a prostitution ring from July 15, 2006 to Oct. 15, 2006 in which Adjutant, a former prostitute initially from Swampscott, recruited three girls ages, 19, 20 and 22 to prostitute for them.The prostitutes told authorities they charged the customers $150 to $200 for the sex acts at various motels in Saugus, Revere and Peabody and that the money was given to Adjutant or to Jones.One of the girls, living with Jones, told authorities she went to New Hampshire for one night and received the largest fee ever, $6,000, which she turned over to Jones.Assistant District Attorney Michael P. Hickey prosecuted the cases and John V. Apruzzese was the defense lawyer for Jones.