Ralph Shortey was arrested on child prostitution charges (Picture: Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

A previous chairman of Donald Trump’s campaign has been arrested on child prostitution charges.

Ralph Shortey, who was Oklahoma chair for the US President during the primaries, is now under pressure to resign from the Senate.

The married father-of-three handed himself into police after charges were filed on Thursday alleging he had solicited sex from a 17-year-old boy.

Shortey, 35, had been found with the boy at the Super 8 Motel in Moore, Oklahoma City, on March 9, following a tip off from the teenager’s father.


He was caught with the boy at the Super 8 Motel, in Moore, Oklahoma City (Picture: Google Maps)

Shortey and the teen both told officers they had known each other for about a year, having met through Craigslist, according to the police report.

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Officers also found lotion and an open box of condoms inside the room.



A search of the teen’s tablet computer also allegedly revealed a series of sexually explicit exchanges where Shortey offered the teen money in exchange for ‘sexual stuff’.

Republican leaders in Oklahoma have called for the senator to resign and his name has already been removed from his office door and parking space.

Ralph Shortey was Oklahoma chair for the US President during the primaries (Picture: Facebook/Ralph Shortey)

An investigation has also been launched at the Oklahoma City YMCA’s Youth and Government program, where Shortey volunteers.

A GOP spokesperson said: ‘The Oklahoma Republican Party takes all accusations against elected officials seriously, especially when the welfare of a minor is involved.

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‘We have reached out to Senator Shortey for comment and have not heard back from him at this time. We await the report from law enforcement on whether charges will be filed.’

Shortey faces several charges, including engaging in child prostitution, transporting a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution within 1,000 feet of a church.

He was released on a $100,000 (£80,000) bond.

Shortey refused to comment.