By Sheila Stogsdill
On Monday, Stephen Melton, 65, appeared in Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas for arraignment on charges of patronizing a victim of human trafficking with reckless disregard. (Video screengrab)
A former Presbyterian pastor has been formally arraigned on human trafficking charges in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, after allegedly paying for sex acts at a massage parlor at least 68 times over five months.
Stephen Melton, 65, appeared Monday in Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas for arraignment on charges of patronizing a victim of human trafficking with reckless disregard. Court records show that he was initially arrested and charged in November.
Melton is the former pastor of Big Spring Presbyterian Church in Newville, Pennsylvania. The church’s website indicates that a new pastor assumed the role in January. A telephone message left with the church leaders seeking comments on Melton’s employment with the church was not returned.
Melton was also the Pennsylvania State Senate chaplain in 2003.
Melton allegedly suspected the sex workers might be human trafficking victims, as reported by several Pennsylvania media sources. Despite this, Melton allegedly left GL Massage with a worker in his car on several occasions, according to The Daily Voice.
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Big Spring Presbyterian Church in Newville, Pennsylvania. (Photo: Facebook)
Investigators observed that Melton “remove(d) his wedding ring before entering the spa,” the Daily Voice added.
Melton confessed to “paying for sex acts, explaining the parlor was conveniently located between his home and the church.” He also claimed to bring “flowers, food, and clothing” to the sex workers, whom he suspected might be victims of trafficking, according to court records published by The Daily Voice.
Melton is accused of visiting GL Massage multiple times a week for over a year and paying for sex, according to CBS 21.
GL Massage was just one of two Cumberland County massage parlors targeted by Operation Closed2Trafficking, reported the Daily Voice.
Melton is free on $10,000 bail and will return to court for a pre-trial conference on May 12 at 1 p.m.
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