More than 100 face sex charges

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the results of statewide human trafficking operations last week. More than 100 law enforcement agencies acted in concert to effect the arrests of 135 people who were seeking to buy sex, Yost said. "Operation Next Door was named to highlight the proximity and prevalence of human trafficking," Yost said. "Too often, we are lulled into the false narrative that these crimes happen only in the shadows. This is simply not true: Human trafficking occurs in plain sight and, unfortunately, may even be fueled by your co-workers or neighbors." Not merely confined to urban centers, officers participating in the operation also focused on suburban and rural communities. A recap Law enforcement participating in the operation reported the following statistics: • Police arrested 32 people on felony charges, including promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, seeking sex with a minor and drug possession and/or trafficking • Police arrested 103 people who allegedly attempted to solicit sex and charged them with engaging in prostitution or solicitation. • There were 67 human trafficking victims referred to health care and social services organizations. • Officers executed nine search warrants at massage parlors in the Toledo, Cleveland and Akron areas