Pastor Anthony Haynes Sentenced To Life For Sex Trafficking Of A Minor

A Toledo pastor was sentenced to life in prison for sex trafficking a minor and other crimes, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith said.

A jury in March convicted Anthony Haynes, 40, of conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of a minor, sex trafficking, child exploitation and obstruction of a sex trafficking investigation.

Cordell Jenkins was sentenced to life in prison. Kenneth Butler was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison. Both pastors previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the sex trafficking conspiracy involving minors.

Haynes, Butler and Jenkins sexually assaulted a juvenile girl beginning in 2014 through 2017, according to court documents.

The girl was 14 when the conduct began and she was in the custody of Haynes. 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 trial testimony and court documents.

Haynes 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 other men, including Jenkins, according to trial testimony and 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.

Jenkins also caused another juvenile girl to engage in commercial sex acts in March 2017, according to court documents.

Butler also caused another juvenile girl to engage in commercial sex acts from 2015 through 2017, according to court documents.

A fourth defendant, Laura Lloyd-Jenkins, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count making a false statement. She made false statements to law enforcement on April 12, 2017, about her knowledge of the sexual exploitation of a minor. Lloyd-Jenkins was the Lucas County Administrator and served on the board of Lucas County Children Services at the time of the crimes, according to court documents and statements.

“This defendant and his friends preyed upon a vulnerable child and used her for their own gratification,” U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman said. “This sentence reflects the depravity of the defendant’s conduct. We remain committed to stamping out human trafficking in all its forms.”

“This is a well-deserved sentence which reflects the gravity of the sex trafficking and child exploitation crimes committed by this defendant,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “The FBI is committed to investigating and holding accountable those engaged in these ruthless acts and will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is served for the victims.”

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Freeman and Alissa Sterling 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.