Sen. Lankford in 2010 deposition: 13-year-olds can consent to sex

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma testified as part of a civil case into an alleged sexual assault, at the Baptist church camp he oversaw, that he believed a 13-year-old can consent to sex.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of Lankford’s deposition from 2010, before he had joined Congress. A 13-year-old girl’s family sued a 15-year-old boy who was alleged to have had sex with her at the camp, and also sued the camp’s owner and operator. Lankford isn’t alleged to have had any knowledge of the assault and wasn’t accused of any wrongdoing.

Oklahoma’s age of consent is 16. There’s no provision in state law under which a 13-year-old could consent to sex.

A Lankford reelection campaign spokeswoman declined comment.