A former Knoxville children’s pastor appeared in Knox County Criminal Court today charged with human trafficking.

Court officials say Jason Kennedy, who served as pastor at Grace Baptist Church, was arrested during a sting operation in May 2016. Kennedy was arrested for solicitation of patronization of prostitution from a minor-trafficking for commercial acts.

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Kennedy allegedly responded to ads for what he thought were females under the age of 18.

In court today, the judge set a status hearing for May 19 and the case will be reviewed by a grand jury for possible indictments.