Crime & Safety
San Mateo Youth Pastor Arrested in Prostitution Sweep
Samuel Yoon, 45, was arrested in the sting earlier this month in Florida.
A youth pastor who works at New Community Mission Church, a Southern Baptist church in San Mateo was arrested earlier this month as part of a massive prostitution sweep in Florida, according to a report from NBCBayArea.com.
Samuel Yoon, 45, who lives in San Leandro, was arrested May 8 during an undercover sting in Polk County, Fla., the report stated.
A total of 92 people were arrested in a span of four days.
A pastor at his predominantly Korean church told NBC Bay Area on Thursday that he was surprised at the allegations.
Yeong Kwon called Yoon a "good guy."
According to Kwon, Yoon has worked for six years at the church and oversees 40 youngsters.
Sheriff's deputies said Yoon responded to an ad posted by an undercover detective offering women for sale. Authorities say that he was looking to have sex with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
Yoon was in Orlando at the time, authorities said, to attend a youth ministry conference.
He was arrested on suspicion of traveling to meet a minor, using a computer to solicit a felony, lewdness. He has no prior criminal history, according to authorities.
The investigation took place from May 8 through May 11, and Yoon has since been released from jail.
Click here to read the full story on NBCBayArea.com.
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