Two members of a violent human trafficking ring in south Columbus were convicted today of numerous felonies, including aggravated murder and trafficking in persons, Attorney General Dave Yost and Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla Favor announced.
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An 83-count indictment filed in Trumbull County accuses eight people of running a human trafficking ring that forced women into prostitution at illicit massage parlors in the Mahoning Valley, Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene announced today.
Two recent arrests by a human trafficking task force underscore the diverse backgrounds of those who attempt to trade money for sex, contributing to the scourge of human trafficking in Ohio.
December 6, 2024, Press Release from Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost: (YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio) — A yearlong investigation by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force has led to the indictment of three women who allegedly operated illicit massage parlors, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene announced today. The indictment, issued Thursday (Dec. 5) by a Mahoning County grand jury, names Aixin Cheng of Virginia; Jinzhi Gong of Illinois; and Man Ryung Yeo of Flushing, New York. The three are charged with multiple felonies,
October 14, 2024, Press Release from the Office of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) – A statewide human-trafficking operation conducted last week by more than 100 law enforcement agencies ended in the arrest of 132 people who sought to buy sex – including some exchanges involving minors, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. “We have to attack this scourge by curbing the demand,” Yost said. “This operation aimed to hold accountable those who exploit survivors or fuel human trafficking by agreeing to pay for sex.” Led by AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC), Operation END-OHHT took place from Oct. 6 through Oct. 12 in 19 counties, including major activities in Akron, Columbus, Cleveland, Marietta, Portsmouth, Toledo and the Mahoning Valley area.
A Toledo man is heading to jail in Allen County for his involvement in prostitution activity. Eshon Howard was sentenced to 90 days in jail but given credit for 73 days for two counts of promoting prostitution. He was also given two years of community control which he may be able to serve in Lucas County. Howard told the judge he brought three female friends from Toledo to Lima because the women said they were meeting friends. Howard proceeded to pay for a hotel for all of them. He said he didn't know what the women were up to even though they would bring him money to hold on to. The women would have "dates" in the hotel and elsewhere, but Howard says he didn't know their business. Howard will have to register as a sex offender once released from jail.
The man robbing alleged prostitutes was sentenced to 10 years in prison. 38-year-old Anthony Prince was sentenced to a decade behind bars on two charges of aggravated robbery. Court records say that on two separate occasions, Prince made calls to women in Toledo and Columbus, who came to Lima, with the purpose to have sex with Prince. Prince then strangled them and stole their money.
11/16/18 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Prostitution Investigation On 11/15/18 the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force in conjunction with the Findlay Police Department, conducted a covert prostitution investigation in the City of Findlay.
