OHIO — More than 100 law enforcement agencies joined forces and conducted a statewide human-trafficking operation last week, arresting 132 people who attempted to buy sex, including some exchanges involving minors.

What You Need To Know

  • Operation END-OHHT, named after the state's new human trafficking hotline (844-END-OHHT)

  • The operation was led by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission's eight human trafficking and major crime task forces

  • Yost said the suspects have diverse backgrounds including laborers, government employees, students and business owners

  • Through the operation, 74 human trafficking survivors were identified and referred to health care services and social services

“We have to attack this scourge by curbing the demand,” Attorney General Dave Yost said in a news release. “This operation aimed to hold accountable those who exploit survivors or fuel human trafficking by agreeing to pay for sex.”

Operation END-OHHT, named after the state's new human trafficking hotline (844-END-OHHT), went from Oct. 6 to Oct. 12 in 19 counties, including activities in Akron, Columbus, Cleveland, Marietta, Portsmouth, Toledo and Mahoning Valley area.

The operation was led by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission's eight human trafficking and major crime task forces alongside 12 other local law enforcement agencies.

Yost said the suspects have diverse backgrounds including laborers, government employees, students and business owners. Of the arrests, 110 included "johns," facing charges of engaging in prostitution or solicitation. There were 22 other individuals charged with felonies for seeking commercial sex with a minor and/or possessing narcotics. 

The "johns," range in age from 21 to 71.

The task forces aided several long-term investigations through raids at nine locations linked to human trafficking including massage parlors and a motel. More than $20,000 and other related evidence was seized.

“Operation END-OHHT reinforced the consequences for those who think that engaging in prostitution is permissible,” Yost said. “Our message is simple: Don’t buy sex in Ohio!” 

Through the operation, 74 human trafficking survivors were identified and referred to health care services and social services.

Other organizations involved in the arrests included:

  • The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force
  • The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force
  • The Montgomery County Human Trafficking Task Force
  • The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force
  • The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force
  • The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
  • The Southeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force
  • The Southern Ohio Major Crimes Task Force
  • The Toledo Police Department