Trump Backer Ralph Shortey Charged With Child Prostitution

Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shortey is in some pretty hot water.

The 35-year-old Republican, who was a key supporter of Donald Trump’s Presidential campaign, has been charged with three felonies after police found him in a hotel room with an underage boy.

According to the Moore Police Department, after noticing “the odor of marijuana emitting from the room,” officers threatened to open the door with a master key if they weren’t permitted to enter. At this point the boy opened the door, and Shortey was standing behind it. He has been charged with engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for the purposes of prostitution, and prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church.

The boy allegedly told police that he and Shortey had messaged on Instagram and Kik, with Shortey using the alias “Jamie Tilley.”

According to The Beast, the boy wrote, “Is there anything I can help you do [for] some cash?” to which Shortey allegedly replied, “How much you needing?” After the boy answered that he needed money for spring break, Shortey allegedly wrote, “I don’t have any legitimate things I need help with right now. Would you be interested in some ‘sexual’ stuff?”

According to KFOR, the married father-of-two turned himself in to the Cleveland County Jail later that day. The Oklahoma Senate decided yesterday to remove all of Shortey’s privileges of holding elected office.