Florida Youth Pastor Arrested On Child Sex Charges

From the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office:

On February 9, 2023, #teamHCSO’s Human Trafficking Section began investigating a case after a mother found disturbing content on her 16-year-old’s cell phone.

Through investigative means, detectives were able to learn that Moises Escoto, 36, of Temple Terrace, had made contact with the victim two years earlier on a chat and meetup app called Sniffies.

Since the initial contact, Escoto solicited the child for sexually explicit pictures and videos in exchange for money and gifts. The suspect was also meeting with the underage teen secretly and engaging in sexual acts.

Escoto was currently a youth pastor at Iglesia de Cristo Misionera Mahanaim Church located at 10902 N. Armenia Avenue. He was arrested by Human Trafficking detectives on the same day.

Moises Escoto is facing charges of Human Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Activity, Lewd or Lascivious Battery, Use of Computer Services or Devices to Solicit Certain Illegal Acts, Traveling to Meet Minor After Using Comp Services or Services to Solicit Certain Illegal Acts, Use Of Computer Services For Lewd Or Lascivious Exhibition Defendant Over 18, Transmission Of Harmful Material To Minor, Unlawful Use Of Two-way Communications Device, Unlawful Sexual Activity With A Minor, among other charges.

Hillsborough County, population 1.5 million, is home to the city of Tampa. At this writing, local news outlets have not reported the arrest and the church does not appear to have issued a statement.