IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A pastor accused of child sex crimes has been arrested after allegedly trafficking minors from Argentina to North Carolina under the guise of a religious trip, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives say 50-year-old Luis Alberto Sosa, of Mooresville, was charged with multiple counts of human trafficking and child sexual assault after investigators uncovered evidence of sexual offenses committed between May 2002 and June 2008.
Authorities said the two victims, both from Argentina and between 13 and 17 years old at the time, were part of a religious ministry led by Sosa, who was serving as a missionary pastor. Investigators revealed that Sosa brought the minors to the United States under false pretenses — promising them a “once-in-a-lifetime” ministry opportunity — and was temporarily granted guardianship while they traveled.
Over the course of two months, Sosa allegedly committed several sexual offenses against the victims while they were in his care.
The case was first reported to Argentinian authorities and later referred to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office through the Argentinian Consulate, sparking a joint international investigation.
Detectives later learned that Sosa had fled North Carolina and relocated to Florida. A nationwide extradition order was issued, and deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested him without incident.
Sosa is currently being held without bond in Florida while awaiting extradition back to Iredell County, where he faces the following charges:
- Two counts of felony human trafficking
- Five counts of felony statutory sexual offense
- Seven counts of felony sexual activity by a custodian
- Two counts of felony indecent liberties with a child
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Sosa has no prior criminal history.
Sheriff Darren Campbell commended the teamwork that led to Sosa’s capture, stating, “This investigation demonstrates how critical collaboration between agencies is in bringing fugitives to justice.
We thank the Argentinian authorities and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.”
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Source: myfox8
Written by: Daniel Olafamoye, Greensboro NC News.
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