Oklahoma pastor faces human trafficking, sexual battery charges
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office has charged Elmer Baca Flores with five counts of human trafficking for labor and one count of sexual battery. (Credit: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics)
OKLAHOMA CITY - An Oklahoma City-area pastor accused of exploiting members of his congregation now faces additional charges, after state investigators uncovered evidence he trafficked and abused victims under the guise of ministry.
The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office has now charged Elmer Baca Flores with five counts of human trafficking for labor and one count of sexual battery.
What they're saying:
"Victims told our Agents they were forced to work for Flores without compensation, and he would threaten them with physical harm if they attempted to leave, claiming he was a member of the violent gang, MS-13," The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Human Trafficking Unit Spokesman Mark Woodward said in a Facebook post. "And Flores used his influence as a pastor to spiritually coerce the victims by targeting their religious convictions."
"One victim told Agents that Flores gave her a test to prove her ability to resist temptation," he added. "During this test, the victim was sexually battered by Flores."
"I am proud of the work by the men and women of our Human Trafficking Unit to get this predator off the streets so he can no longer prey on the innocent and vulnerable. And I am grateful that the victims in this investigation are receiving support and assistance," OBN Director Donnie Anderson also said.
The backstory:
OBN first launched an investigation in March 2025 after receiving information that Flores was trafficking members of his congregation from his home, which also served as his church.
Agents interviewed several victims and found evidence that Flores allegedly forced them to quit their jobs and cut ties with their families.
Investigators say he required the victims to move into his residence, where he controlled nearly every aspect of their lives.
Flores was arrested in April 2025 by the Oklahoma City Police Department on three counts of Lewd Acts with a child and booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
In October 2025, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office amended the charges to include five counts of Human Trafficking for Labor and one count of Sexual Battery, based on findings submitted by the OBN Human Trafficking Unit.
The Source: Information in this story comes from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Human Trafficking Unit and the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
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