OKLAHOMA CITY (OK)
KOKH [Oklahoma City, OK]
October 31, 2025
By Alexandra Sharfman
New charges have been filed against an Oklahoma City area pastor who is accused of trafficking members of his church, according to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics.
Agents received information in March 2025 and interviewed several victims, finding evidence that Elmer Baca Flores would force his victims to quit their jobs and isolate them from their families by having them move into his church, where he also lived.
“Victims told our Agents they were forced to work for Flores without compensation, and he would threaten them with physical harm if they attempted to leave, claiming he was a member of the violent gang, MS-13,” said OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward. “And Flores used his influence as a pastor to spiritually coerce the victims by targeting their religious convictions. One victim told Agents that Flores gave her a test to prove her ability to resist temptation. During this test, the victim was sexually battered by Flores.”
In April, Flores was arrested by Oklahoma City Police on three counts of lewd acts with a child and was booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
In October, his charges were amended to include five counts of human trafficking for labor and one count of sexual battery.
“I am proud of the work by the men and women of our Human Trafficking Unit to get this predator off the streets so he can no longer prey on the innocent and vulnerable, and I am grateful that the victims in this investigation are receiving support and assistance,” said OBN Director Donnie Anderson.