Ohio Pastor Sentenced For Sex Trafficking Of Minor

A Toledo-area pastor was sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, the Department of Justice announced this month. A second pastor was given 17 years in prison for his role in similar crimes.

“These sentences for two men who abused their positions of authority to prey on children are richly deserved,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “I remain in awe of the courage of the victims and the dedication of our law enforcement personnel in bringing these men to justice.”

Cordell Jenkins, 48, was sentenced to life in prison. Kenneth Butler, 39, was given 210 months in prison. Both men pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to sex traffic children, sex trafficking of children and related charges.

A third pastor — Anthony Haynes — was convicted this year of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking, child exploitation, and obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation. He will be sentenced later this year.

Haynes, Butler and Jenkins began assaulting a girl starting in 2014. The assaults continued through 2017, court documents said. The girl was 14 when the incidents began. She was staying with Haynes, and in his custody, during the time of the assaults, the Department of Justice said.

According to the Department of Justice, Jenkins repeatedly exploited the minor at his home, at his office in the Abundant Life Ministries, and at a motel in Toledo. He paid her and referred to the payments as "hush money," the DOJ added. These incidents were frequently recorded on Jenkins' cell phone, court documents said.

Other assaults took place at the Greater Life Christian Center in Toledo, where Haynes was pastor, the DOJ said. Haynes also facilitated the girl being sexually exploited by other men, including Jenkins, court documents said.

"Our children should not be bought, sold or traded,” FBI Agent Eric Smith said. “They should not be used for financial or personal gain. The children who are victimized in the vicious world of sex trafficking deserve justice. In federal court in Toledo, justice was served. Pastor Anthony Haynes violated every trust bestowed on him - as a leader of the church, he was responsible for helping those in need. Especially children. As we saw this week, he violated that trust in the worst way imaginable. Today we are thankful for the law enforcement partnerships that led to this verdict."