(CBS/AP)

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) _ A Sedgwick County jury convicts a man of human trafficking for taking a 15-year-old Wichita girl to Dallas last year to work as a prostitute.

But the lawyer for 38-year-old Marlin Williams says the crime should bring a sentence of 46 months, not the 54 years called for under a law enacted last year known as "Jessica's Law.''

The girl is now 16 and taking care of her 2-year-old daughter at an independent-living residence. She said she made $6,000 in about two weeks for performing sexual favors for customers in Dallas. She said she gave all of the money to Williams.

The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled in drug cases that when two laws are similar but carry different punishments, the judge must give the less severe sentence.

The human trafficking provision was passed to increase penalties for people who transport or recruit minors for illegal sexual activities. Under that charge, Williams could face more than 54 years in prison.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)