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Oklahoma state senator arrested on child prostitution charge

Posted at 2:29 PM, Mar 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-16 14:29:37-04

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma state senator who police say was found in a hotel room with a teenage boy has turned himself in.

According to KFOR, Senator Ralph Shortey turned himself in to police in after child prostitution charges were filed by prosecutors Thursday morning.

Cleveland County prosecutors charged 35-year-old Shortey with engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of church.

RELATED: Oklahoma Senator investigated after found in hotel room with teenage boy

Moore (Okla.) police say that acted on a tip from the teen's father, they went to the Super 8 Hotel last week and smelled marijuana coming from a room. They found Shortey and the teen alone inside.

The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16.

Shortey has not replied to several phone messages seeking comment, and court records don't show if he has an attorney.