On Nov. 3, 2026, an Oklahoma County District Court sentenced former pastor Elmer Baca Flores to 30 years in prison for a series of human‑trafficking and sexual‑abuse crimes, a case that underscores the threat of exploitation within local faith communities.
According to KOCO, Flores was convicted on 13 counts of human trafficking for labor, two counts of lewd or indecent proposal to a child, one count of indecent or lewd acts with a child under 16, and one count of sexual battery.
Mark Woodward, public information officer for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, told KOCO and OKC Fox that victims reported being forced to work without compensation, threatened with physical harm, and told Flores claimed affiliation with the violent gang MS‑13. Woodward added that Flores used his pastoral authority to spiritually coerce victims, including a “test” that resulted in sexual battering.
The investigation began in early 2025 after multiple families reported that Flores compelled them to quit their jobs, leave their homes, and move into his residence, which also served as the church. Oklahoma City police arrested Flores in April 2025 on three counts of lewd acts with a child, according to OKC Fox. Those charges were later amended to include human‑trafficking for labor and sexual battery, with additional counts filed in January 2026 before the November conviction (KOCO).
OBN Director Donnie Anderson called the case a “landmark” because it marks the first conviction for forced‑labor human trafficking in Oklahoma (OKC Fox). Whitney Anderson, CEO of Dragonfly Human Trafficking Victim Services, emphasized the need for community awareness, noting the organization served nearly 300 victims last year (KOCO).
In addition to the 30‑year sentence, Flores must register as a sex offender and will face deportation after completing his term, per the court order (KOCO, OKC Fox).
Victims have been urged to seek support services, and local law‑enforcement agencies say they will continue to monitor and investigate similar abuse claims within religious organizations.
Sources: koco.com, okcfox.com, koco.com, koco.com
