Miami

South Florida Preacher Arrested for Allegedly Running Sex Trafficking Ring With Teenagers

He would allegedly beat the victims physically, according to a police report, as well as have sex with two of the teens

A South Florida preacher is behind bars after police allege he was running a sex trafficking operation involving several teenagers.

Ron Cooper, 52, faces multiple counts, including human trafficking, false imprisonment, prostitution and sexual activity with a minor, according to a Miami-Dade Police arrest affidavit.

Cooper was arrested Tuesday and appeared in court Wednesday where he was ordered held without bond. It's unknown if he's hired an attorney.

"I believe he poses a great danger to the community as well as children in our communities," Judge Mindy Glazer said at Wednesday's hearing.

Detectives interviewed several victims – all between the ages of 16 and 18. They all say they met Cooper though a friend, who asked if they wanted to make money doing modeling work.

He then allegedly set up a meeting between the teens and another man inside a Miami hotel room, telling the victims he was a professional photographer. Once inside, the man told all of them they were there to perform sex acts.

The victims told police Cooper put the pictures he took on various websites, arranging meetings between adults and the teens. He would then drive the victims to the meetings, sometimes giving them drugs and alcohol to relax them.

Cooper would allegedly beat the victims physically, according to a police report, as well as have sex with two of the teens.

According to his Facebook account, Cooper is a pastor at the Good News Little River Baptist Church.

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