The Cooper County Sheriff’s Office arrested an area man after serving a search warrant at an Amish and Mennonite Retreat on March 25th.

The arrest was a result of a multi-year investigation into 42-year-old Sam Shetler, who owned and operated an Amish retreat called Mercy and Truth-Amish and Mennonite Retreat located in the 11000 block of Hidden Valley Court. A probable cause statement accuses Shetler of using his position in the Amish Community to control, manipulate, coerce, and force vulnerable people for his own profit in different forms.

The Cooper County Sheriff’s Office interviewed dozens of witnesses and victims, who reported that Shetler would require them to work at his private business and farms without compensation. Shetler also allegedly forced residents to consume homemade pills and would verbally and physically abuse residents who didn’t comply. Several female victims also reported incidents of sexual abuse after Shetler manipulate them into believing they were “demon possessed.”

Shetler is facing two felony counts of trafficking for the purposes of slavery/involuntary servitude/or forced labor and one felony count of sodomy in the first degree. Bond has been set at $100,000 cash or surety. Shetler was arraigned on Friday and entered a plea of not guilty. A counsel status hearing is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 31 at Cooper County Circuit Court.