State Senator Resigns Amid Charges of Minor Prostitution

Oklahoma State Senator Ralph Shortey is set to resign from duty tomorrow following allegations that he solicited sex from a 17-year-old boy. Shortey was first elected in 2010 and has since become eligible for a federally-funded pension.

Shortey has officially been charged with engaging in prostitution, engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church, and transporting a minor for prostitution. These reports led to a public outcry spurring from the Senate leader, and the governor of Oklahoma calling for his resignation.

News reports and active legislature suggest that he would be able to keep his state retirement even if he is convicted, a sum which totals $9,000 a year. It is unclear at this point whether his resignation will affect his ability to receive his retirement funds. Since the law apparently doesn’t specifically list prostitution as an offense which can lead to your pension being revoked, it seems that Shortey may still be eligible, despite what happens in the case.

Police reports detail a graphic conversation between Shortey and the 17-year old, with the senator saying that he would engage in sexual activities with the teen “like a little boy if you keep calling me daddy.” There are many other electronic messages between Shortey and the boy that have been discovered through the use of the messaging app Kik.

Another police report, seen below, illustrates that Sen. Shortey had been using the screen name “Jamie Tilley” during his digital interactions with the boy, that they engaged in the use of marijuana together, and that the boy was asking for ways to make money from Shortey. When asked for money, Shortey responded by saying “I don’t really have any legitimate things I need help with right now. Would you be interested in ‘sexual stuff?’”

 

The U.S. Secret Service and FBI in Oklahoma city have officially joined the investigation. FBI spokesperson Jessica Rice claimed that a search warrant has been carried out at Shortey’s Oklahoma home, but declined to provide additional details due to the “sensitive ongoing investigation.” Accordingly, we will have to wait for more information on this story.