Foster Parent and Youth Pastor Arrested In Florida For Human Trafficking

Officials have reported that two Florida men, Moises Escoto and Joel Lutz, were arrested for human trafficking charges.

Escoto, who was a 36-year-old youth pastor at Iglesia de Cristo Misionera Mahanaim Church, had allegedly used a chat and meetup app called Sniffies to contact a 16-year-old victim, soliciting sexually explicit images and videos in exchange for money and gifts. Escoto had also reportedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim.

The investigation began after the victim’s mother reported finding disturbing content on her child’s phone.

Lutz, a 38-year-old registered foster parent, was also arrested for engaging in sexual acts with a minor he met on the Sniffies app in exchange for money. Both men are facing multiple charges, including human trafficking for commercial sexual activity, lewd or lascivious battery, and use of computer services to solicit certain illegal acts. Sheriff Chad Chronister has urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.