(WARREN, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe today announced the results of a recent human trafficking operation.
A partnership of multiple law enforcement agencies yielded eight arrests during a one-day sting targeting individuals seeking to buy sex via the internet. Once intercepted, the individuals were processed and booked into the Trumbull County Jail.
“These guys didn’t know if they were dealing with a willing participant or someone under the control of a pimp’s drugs and influence – and they certainly didn’t know they were about to meet our task force officers,” Yost said. “My advice – don’t buy sex in Ohio.”
“A few months ago, the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office received a crime tip pertaining to illegal prostitution taking place in Trumbull County,” Monroe said. “We reached out to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, which assisted in planning this operation. This operation was conducted to show those people who participate in this type of activity that they are not welcome in Trumbull County. The Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank all of the agencies who participated in this operation. This was a true team effort.”
The following individuals were arrested on solicitation charges and for possession of criminal tools:
- Shane Shilling, 43, Warren
- Darryl Juillerat, 33, Kinsman
- Paul Arthur, 41, Columbiana
- Dustin Estep, 28, Struthers
- William Messer, 62, Wayland
- Walter Allen, 28, Youngstown
- Thomas Vescera, 59, Hermitage, PA
- Robert Banks, 59, Jefferson
Photos of the suspects are available on the
attorney general’s Twitter page.
Agencies and social service organizations involved in the operation include: the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, TAG Drug Task Force, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Warren Police Department, Austintown Police Department and the Cortland Police Department.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Irwin: 614-728-5417
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