OKLAHOMA CITY — A former Oklahoma state senator accused of engaging in child prostitution and pornography pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal charge of child sex trafficking. Former two-term Republican state Sen. Ralph Shortey entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Timothy DeGiusti in exchange for federal prosecutors dropping three child pornography charges against him. Shortey faces between 10 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for child sex trafficking. The FBI became involved in the case shortly after Shortey’s arrest and conducted a search of Shortey’s Oklahoma City home. The indictment alleged that Shortey produced child pornography in 2016 and 2017 and used his smartphone to send videos involving young boys and a young girl in 2013.

Source: National Post November 30, 2017 20:48 UTC