Ohio Pastor Anthony Haynes Found Guilty Of Sex Trafficking

On Monday, the trial began for Anthony Haynes, the Toledo pastor accused of child sex trafficking. And on Wednesday, jurors found Anthony Haynes guilty on charges that include sex trafficking of a minor and child sexual exploitation.

Haynes, a 40-year-old former pastor at Greater Life Christian Center, is accused of grooming a 14-year-old girl for sex and encouraging her to have intercourse with two fellow Toledo pastors.

Originally, Haynes pledged in front of his congregation to care for the girl, who had a difficult childhood. During opening statements at the trial, prosecutors pointed out that she had been sexually abused by a relative before Haynes’ made his promise.

After making the pledge, Haynes began grooming the girl and, at 14, allegedly began having sex with her. He would later introduce her to fellow pastors Kenneth Butler and Cordell Jenkins. Federal prosecutors cited text messages, photos, voicemails, and DNA as evidence in the case.

Haynes, who faces life in prison for his charges, denied having sex with the girl and testified that she tried to manipulate him.

Haynes also has family on trial as a result of the case. His wife and stepdaughter are accused of abducting the girl, now 19, in January. The pair allegedly held her at gunpoint, choked her with a power cord, and forced her from her apartment, telling her to take back statements she made to investigators.