A former missionary pastor from Argentina has been arrested in Florida and charged with multiple felonies tied to child sex abuse that allegedly took place in North Carolina over two decades ago, as WCNC reports.

Luis Alberto Sosa, 50, is accused of luring two Argentinian minors to the United States with false promises of religious ministry experiences and instead abusing them between 2002 and 2008 while he lived in Mooresville, North Carolina.

The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office was tipped off about the disturbing allegations after Argentinian authorities received reports from the victims and forwarded them through diplomatic channels in August 2025.

Charges Involve Abuse of Minors Under Sosa’s Care

According to authorities, Sosa gained temporary guardianship over the two minors, who were between the ages of 13 and 17, after convincing their families they were embarking on a “once-in-a-lifetime” faith-based opportunity in the U.S.

Instead, investigators say Sosa subjected the two teens to repeated sexual acts during their brief stay, lasting approximately two months, while under his supervision.

He is now facing an extensive list of charges: two counts of felony human trafficking, five counts of felony statutory sexual offense, seven counts of felony sexual activity by a custodian, and two counts of felony indecent liberties with a child.

Years-Old Crimes Surface After Victims Speak Out

The alleged crimes occurred across multiple locations in Mooresville between May 2002 and June 2008. For years, the victims remained silent—until they recently described the abuse to Argentinian law enforcement.

Once Argentinian authorities reviewed the case, they alerted U.S. officials through the Argentinian Consulate, which led the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office to launch a full-scale investigation in August 2025.

Investigators then uncovered that Sosa had moved from North Carolina to Florida, likely trying to stay out of reach. That plan quickly unraveled.

Sosa Arrested in Florida, No Known Criminal Past

Once the Iredell County team had enough to proceed, they secured arrest warrants along with a nationwide extradition order. That set the stage for cooperation with Florida-based authorities.

Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office apprehended Sosa without resistance. He is currently being held without bond in a Florida detention center, awaiting transfer back to North Carolina.

Officials said Sosa has no prior criminal history. One can only wonder whether background checks were lacking, overlooked, or simply ineffective at the time.

Victims Came Forward After Two Decades

It’s worth emphasizing the bravery it took for these now-grown individuals to step forward after years of silence. While Sosa's alleged actions occurred years ago, their reverberations are very present today.

The local sheriff’s office stated clearly that the case only came to their attention in mid-August 2025, illustrating how local jurisdictions can be blindsided by events brewing far outside their watch.

The notion of trust being weaponized under the guise of religious authority speaks to a deeper cultural issue—one where moral institutions are exploited while public accountability is hollowed out.

Officials Continue To Investigate

The investigation remains open, and law enforcement has not ruled out the possibility of additional victims or charges. This may only be the beginning of a broader reckoning.

No official quotes have been released by authorities at this time, though the facts laid out in the charging documents speak volumes.

Sosa is presumed innocent until proven guilty, of course. But let’s be honest—when children are put in the hands of a so-called “missionary,” the last thing anyone expects is that they’re being handed over to a predator.