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Man accused of exchanging tattoos for sexual favors pleads ‘no contest’

Posted at 11:24 AM, Apr 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-11 11:27:25-04
Raymond Veenstra (Photo from the Kent County Sheriff's Department)

Raymond Veenstra (Photo from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department)

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Grand Rapids man accused of trading his tattooing skills for sexual favors pleaded no contest to charges on Monday.

Raymond Veenstra pleaded no contest to accosting a minor for immoral purposes, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and violating the public health code. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors have agreed to dismiss the other counts. He will have to register as a sex offender.

Veenstra was arrested in September 2015 at his home on Marietta Street. Court documents said that Veenstra admitted to running an illegal tattoo business and was offering tattoos to underage girls in exchange for sex. The documents show there were nine victims.

Veenstra will be sentenced on May 17.