A Republican state senator facing child prostitution charges involving a 17-year-old boy has surrendered to authorities in Cleveland County.
State Sen. Ralph Shortey was booked Thursday into the Cleveland County Detention Center. His bond was set at $100,000.
He told reporters he had no comment on the charges but would release a statement later.
Shortey faces charges of engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of church. Police in Moore, acting on a tip from the teen’s father, found Shortey and the teen in a hotel room last week.
Oklahoma’s age of consent is 16, but its child prostitution statute applies to anyone under the age of 18.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.