Former Pastor Accused of Trafficking Minors From Argentina To North Carolina For Sexual Abuse

Authorities say Luis Sosa brought two minors from Argentina to North Carolina under a false “mission trip.”

Authorities arrested a former pastor accused of trafficking two minors from Argentina to the United States — allegedly under the guise of a “mission trip” — and then sexually abusing them for years in North Carolina.

According to investigators, 50-year-old Luis Sosa, of Mooresville, promised a “once-in-a-lifetime mission trip” to two minors, ages 13 and 17, convincing their families that he’d help them “serve God” in the U.S. Instead, officials say, he gained temporary guardianship over the teens, giving him full authority over their travel, housing, and daily care.

Once the victims arrived, authorities say Sosa used his position of power and religious authority to repeatedly sexually assault both minors between 2002 and 2008 in Iredell County, North Carolina.

Investigators say the alleged crimes include:

• 2 counts of felony human trafficking

• 5 counts of felony statutory sexual offense

• 7 counts of felony sexual activity by a custodian

• 2 counts of felony indecent liberties with a child

Following an extensive investigation, authorities tracked Sosa to Florida, where he was arrested and is currently being held without bond pending extradition back to North Carolina.