(August 21, 2008)--Jurors Thursday in Tyler sentenced a 41-year-old auto body shop worker to life in prison after convicting him of grooming children as young as 5 to perform in sex shows at a small-town swingers club.

Jurors took about 15 minutes Thursday to decide on the sentence for Patrick "Booger Red" Kelly.

Prosecutors had pushed for the life sentence, while defense attorneys sought a suspended sentence of less than 10 years so Kelly could be placed probation.

Kelly showed no emotion after the guilty verdict was read earlier Thursday.

Jurors deliberated about two hours before finding him guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity.

Prosecutors alleged Kelly was a member of the so-called Mineola Swinger's Club, although Kelly testified he is innocent.

They contended Kelly helped set up a "kindergarten" where young children learned to dance provocatively.

To help perform at the club, prosecutors say the children were given Vicodin-like drugs the adults passed off as "silly pills."

Earlier trials have led to convictions and life sentences for defendants Jamie Pittman and Shauntel Mayo.

Four other defendants in the case await trial.

Mineola is about 85 miles east of Dallas.