March 16, 2017 | Sex & Society

Oklahoma state senator found with underage boy

Charges have been laid against Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shortey, 35, after he was discovered in a Motel 6 with a teenage boy. The charges include soliciting prostitution of a minor, prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church and transporting for the purpose of prostitution.

Shortey, who is married, had checked into the motel under his own name.  Police acted on a tip from the boy's father, who said the boy had a history of offering sex for money.

In case you're wondering, Shortey is a Republican. In fact, he was a member of Donald Trump's leadership team in Oklahoma. And his legislative record is, well, a little crazy:

- in 2012, he introduced a bill that would outlaw the use of human fetuses in food. Yes, you read that correctly. Shortey had read one article on the Internet in which a pro-life group got terribly confused and concluded that a company that was researching artificial sweeteners and doing stem cell research was somehow combining the two.

- he tried to advance a bill that would have required presidential candidates to provide proof of citizenship before being allowed on Oklahoma’s primary ballot. So he bought Trump's birther lies.

- While argueing for “open carry” gun laws in the state, he suggested it was necessary to have quick access to a firearm to fend off attacks by -- get this -- wild turkeys. Hoo boy.

It all goes to show that Shortey has a unique world view that may have contributed to his decision to engage with a teen boy. The Oklahoma Senate has filed a unanimous resolution to impose punishment on Shortey for disorderly behavior.

Sen. Ralph Shortey is facing child prostitution charges involving a teen boy. [Time]