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Third person linked to prostitution of Johnston County teen

The Johnston County Sheriff's Office made a third arrest Monday linked the alleged prostitution of a teenage girl. Teresa Page, 41, of Ashworth Page, 41, of 1120 William R. King Road in Newtown Grove, is charged with felony child abuse by prostitution.

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Teresa Ashworth Page
NEWTON GROVE, N.C. — The Johnston County Sheriff's Office made a third arrest Monday linked to the alleged prostitution of a teenage girl. Teresa Ashworth Page, 41, of 1120 William R. King Road in Newtown Grove, is charged with felony child abuse by prostitution.

Authorities allege that Johnny Franklin Thornton, 62, of 8281 Harper House Road, paid Page, who allowed him to have sex with a girl who was 15 at the time. Thornton and his daughter-in-law, Tina Tucker Thornton, of 2321 Mount Olive Highway in Newton Grove, were arrested Friday.

All three were being held Tuesday in the Johnston County jail. 

Deputy Chief Bengie Gaddis said authorities were tipped off in February that Johnny Thornton was having a relationship with the girl. Investigators allege the relationship spanned eight months, from September of 2010 until May. 

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