TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The FBI has arrested an Ohio church’s pastor and another man on charges of sex trafficking of children.
Federal documents allege recruiting, enticing and transporting people the men knew were under 18 to engage in sex acts for pay. An agent’s criminal complaint says the alleged activity started three years ago with a girl who was then 14.
A U.S. magistrate judge Friday ordered 46-year-old Cordell Jenkins and 37-year-old Anthony Haynes held without bond until an April 13 hearing.
The Toledo Blade reports Jenkins, pastor of Toledo’s Abundant Life Ministries, shook his head “no” as charges were read and indicated he will hire an attorney. Haynes, whose last known employment was listed as the Greater Life Christian Center, told the magistrate he needed a court-appointed attorney until he “made some phone calls.”
Jenkins is charged with sex trafficking of a minor and sexual exploitation of children. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Haynes faces charges of sex trafficking of a minor and obstruction in the investigation of child sex trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
The FBI says the case doesn’t involve the church, but documents allege Jenkins had sex with an underage girl in his church office.
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