MIAMI (AP) — A youth pastor is facing charges after being accused of recruiting teenage boys for sex.
News outlets report 52-year-old Ron Maurice Cooper was arrested Monday on human trafficking, false imprisonment and other charges.
Police say Cooper recruited several males, ages 16 to 18, telling them he could get them modeling work.
He arranged for them to meet a photographer, who the victims said was actually someone who had paid to have sex with them. Cooper allegedly posted photos of the victims on websites like Backpage to find more clients.
Cooper's accused of forcing the teens to have sex with men in hotels. The victims said they were threatened and given drugs before sex.
Cooper's attorney said Cooper had no prior arrests and worked at Walmart and as a youth pastor.