Toledo ministers indicted for sex trafficking of minors and production of child pornography

Two Toledo men were indicted on federal charges including sex trafficking of minors and production of child pornography, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony.

Cordell Jenkins, 46, and Anthony Haynes, 37, are named in the seven-count indictment.

Haynes is charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of production of child pornography and one count of obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation. Jenkins is charged with two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, one count of production of child pornography, and one count of receipt of child pornography.

Haynes sexually assaulted a 14-year-old in his custody, beginning in 2014. This conduct continued through 2017, according to court documents.

Some of this conduct took place at Greater Life Christian Center in Toledo, where Haynes was pastor at the time. Haynes used his cellular telephone to record these sexual assaults, according to court documents.

Haynes routinely gave the victim money after the acts and told her not to say anything. He told her that if she said anything, it would ruin his family and his church, according to court documents.

Haynes also facilitated the victim being sexually exploited by several other men, including Jenkins, according to court documents.

Jenkins repeatedly sexually exploited the minor at his home on Barrington Drive, at his office at Abundant Life Ministries and at a motel in Toledo. He paid her and referred to the payment as “hush money.” He often recorded these interactions with his cellular telephone, according to court documents.

“Adults in a position of trust taking advantage of children for their own sexual gratification is beyond reprehensible,” Anthony said. “These defendants are a stark reminder that human trafficking can be hidden in plain view. Law enforcement, in partnership with our communities, must remain vigilant in protecting our children.”

The investigation is ongoing.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman following an investigation by the FBI’s Northwest Ohio Violent Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of members of the FBI, Toledo Police Department, Perrysburg Township Police Department, Lima Police Department, Oregon Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Lucas County Sheriff’s Office.