Sex- trafficking trial set for Toledo- area pastors

intend to go to trial.

Judge Jack Zouhary confirmed the trial for all three for Sept. 5 and said there was no need to move it out of town.

“It is my belief that the defendants can obtain a fair trial here,” the judge said, explaining that, while there was considerable media coverage in the Toledo area, the federal court draws prospective jurors from a 21-county area of northwest Ohio.

He also said news coverage of the case was “not enough to taint a fair trial” and the court would be able to determine during the jury selection process whether prospective jurors had been influenced by what they’d read or seen on television. Jenkins, 47, who founded and was a pastor at Abundant Life Ministries, and Haynes, 39, who led the Greater Life Christian Center, each are charged with child sex trafficking, production of child pornography, and other charges.

Lloyd-Jenkins, 43, the former Lucas County administrator, is charged with obstructing a sex-trafficking investigation and making a false statement to federal investigators.

A third pastor, Kenneth Butler, 38, former pastor of Detroit-based Kingdom Encounter Family Worship Center, pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to sex traffic children, obstruction of a sextrafficking investigation, and two counts of sex trafficking of children.

Butler, who faces 17½ years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 12, admitted he had sex with two minor girls, including encounters at Haynes’ church office.

Lorin Zaner, attorney for Jenkins, said after Thursday’s hearing that he believes Butler “is a whole lot more culpable” than his client, but the plea offer made to Jenkins did not reflect that.

“As far as we were concerned, there was no reason not to go to trial,” Zaner said. “We think each of the charges are defensible.”

Both Haynes and Jenkins remain in custody while Lloyd-Jenkins, who was fired by county commissioners, is on house arrest.

Zaner said the judge allowed Jenkins and Lloyd-Jenkins to speak with each other in the jury room after the brief hearing.

“The two of them talked and hugged and held hands and talked about what should happen in the case,” he said.