News Releases

(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.
 
The sweeping collaborative effort, named after Ohio’s new human trafficking hotline (844-END-OHHT), was led by OOCIC’s eight human trafficking and major crime task forces, with a dozen other local law enforcement agencies also participating.



Those arrested included 110 “johns,” who face charges of engaging in prostitution or solicitation, as well as 22 individuals charged with felonies for seeking commercial sex with a minor and/or possessing narcotics.
 
The suspects have diverse backgrounds – from laborers and government employees to students and business owners – and range in age from 21 to 71.
 
Throughout the operation, authorities also identified 74 human-trafficking survivors, referring them to health-care and social-service organizations.
 
In addition, the OOCIC task forces furthered several long-term investigations by raiding nine locations that had been linked to human trafficking, including several massage parlors and a motel. They seized more $20,000 and other related evidence.  
 
“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!” 



Operation Highlights

• The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
  • Advanced two long-term investigations in arresting Terrance Cummings, 29, of Columbus on federal charges of sexual exploitation of a minor; possession, distribution and receipt of child pornography; coercion and enticement of a minor; and obstruction of justice. Anthony Simms, 56, was federally indicted on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and sex trafficking of a minor.
  • Along with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Edson David Aguilera Ramos, a citizen of Honduras with no legal U.S. status, after he responded to an online advertisement offering sex with a female he believed to be 15. Ramos was charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
• The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force:
  • Charged Raymond Masters, 55, of Chester, West Virginia, with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools. Masters is a registered sex offender.
• The Montgomery County Human Trafficking Task Force:
  • Charged Charles Arnold, 55, of Dayton, and Jeffrey Startzman, 68, of Brookville, with solicitation. Arnold is a chief fire inspector for the Ohio Department of Commerce; Startzman is a former prosecutor and magistrate and a current board member for Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services.
  • Arrested Alfonso Rodriguez, 45, of the Dominican Republic; Dennis Armando Doban, 25, of Honduras; and Kelvin Nimako, 23, of Ghana. Each is charged with importuning.
  • Charged two Dayton men – Ryan Pace, 58, and John Dady, 53 – with importuning and possession of criminal tools.
• The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
  • Executed search warrants in Lake County at three Painesville massage parlors where human trafficking is suspected: Tang Yun Spa, at 1935 Mentor Ave.; QQ Spa, 2000 Mentor Ave. and Sunrise Spa, 1400 Mentor Ave. Six potential survivors were interviewed and offered services; two individuals remain under investigation and could face charges of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. Authorities seized $19,399.
  • Executed a search warrant in East Cleveland at McCall’s Motel, where human trafficking is suspected. Officers seized $1,975, three handguns and narcotics.
• The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
  • Charged John Hughes, 35, with two felony counts of pandering for seeking to buy sex from a minor. Hughes works for the Ohio Treasurer’s Office and referees high-school athletics.
  • Charged five men with pandering, including Columbus-area residents Quin Liston, 22; John Dudash, 77; Christopher Miller 54; and Robert Fijol, 45; and Suhib Al Zenati, 27, of Jordan. Columbus resident Colton Smith, 35, was charged with unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
• The Southeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force charged Mark Hart, 33, of Marietta with engaging in prostitution and felony drug trafficking.
• The Southern Ohio Major Crimes Task Force:
  • Arrested Jarrius Dixon, 26 of Ashland, Kentucky, after he responded to an ad from a “mother” offering sex with her and her 15-year-old daughter. During the arrest, Dixon was found to be in possession of 19.82 grams of suspected methamphetamine that was pre-packaged for sale, digital scales and more than $1,000. Dixon was charged with importuning, drug trafficking, drug possession and engaging in prostitution.
  • Arrested Michael Waugh, 63, of Waverly, and Keith Anderson, 40, of McDermott, on charges of importuning. Anderson was also charged with improper handling of a firearm.
• The Toledo Police Department charged Dontae Evens, 29, of Toledo with engaging in prostitution. The man, who possessed narcotics, also faces felony charges of trafficking in cocaine and fentanyl.

Statements from inside the operation

Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck:
"Human trafficking has no place in our community. This statewide effort is a crucial step in protecting victims and holding offenders accountable. We are dedicated to preventing this crime, rescuing victims, and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice."
 
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant:
“The Columbus Division of Police is committed to combating human trafficking, prostitution and crimes that exploit children. We recognize the critical impact that these crimes have on our communities and the lives of individuals affected by them. This is not just a local issue; it is a pressing reality that affects people in every corner of our state. The commitment that our Human Trafficking Task Force and PACT officers display every day is crucial in protecting victims and bringing justice to those who exploit them. We will continue to devote resources and support efforts to prevent these crimes.”
 
Delaware County Sheriff Jeffrey Balzer:
“The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office continues to support the role of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force in reducing the exploitation of vulnerable members of our community and is proud to have participated in Operation END-OHHT.”
 
Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin:
“Human trafficking is a serious issue nationwide, and, unfortunately, Franklin County is not exempt from its impact. This is why we once again partnered with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and local law enforcement agencies to combat this illegal activity. Our collaboration helps strengthen our investigations and convictions. This also allows us a chance to offer much-needed support to the victims caught in this heinous crime.”
 
Homeland Security Investigations – Detroit Special Agent-in-Charge Angie M. Salazar:
“These proactive operations to prevent human trafficking, prosecute the perpetrators, and partner with NGOs to support victims are the pillars to successfully combating human trafficking in our communities. Our partnerships with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, local law enforcement, NGOs, and the human trafficking task forces in Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati are an exemplary best practice on how to dismantle human trafficking criminal organizations and rescue survivors.”
 
Grove City Police Chief Eric Scott:
“The Grove City Division of Police is committed to investigating and proactively addressing all criminal activity, especially crimes against persons. Human trafficking and prostitution affect a community as a whole but specifically target potentially vulnerable victims. Grove City’s participation in this operation sends the message that Grove City will not tolerate these crimes.”
 
Hillard Police Chief Michael Woods:
“We want to drive this illegal activity out of central Ohio and Hilliard, and it is individuals who solicit prostitution online who are creating the demand. We’re hopeful this operation will not only serve as a deterrent for human trafficking but also will provide assistance to human trafficking victims so they can get connected to advocates and resources. This operation has been another example of the successful partnership between the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and other law enforcement agencies in central Ohio, including the Dublin Police Department.”
 
Madison County Sheriff John Swaney:
“The Madison County Sheriff’s Office fully supports the mission of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force in its effort to rid central Ohio of crimes such as prostitution and sex trafficking. Knowing the adverse effects that these crimes have on a community, my office has teamed with the task force and other jurisdictions in central Ohio to participate in a statewide initiative to target and arrest anyone involved in these types of crimes. It is my feeling that contributing to this initiative is another way we can better serve the residents of Madison County.”
 
New Albany Police Lt. Kristopher Daniels:
“The New Albany Police Department continues to collaborate with the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to battle human exploitation at every level. We remain steadfast in investigating and prosecuting those involved with human trafficking while providing aid and assistance to the victims of this horrendous crime.”
 
Bureau of Criminal Investigation Superintendent Bruce Pijanowski:
“BCI’s core mission is to assist local law enforcement, and our involvement in Operation END-OHHT is no exception. The special agents and criminal intelligence agents assigned to OOCIC human trafficking task forces work diligently to target human traffickers and arrest those seeking to exploit children.”

Operation participants

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office offers a special thanks to the 100-plus law enforcement agencies and non-government organizations that joined AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission in carrying out Operation END-OHHT.
 
The lead agency for each OOCIC task force is listed first:

Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
Columbus Division of Police, Homeland Security Investigations, BCI, FBI, Marysville Police Department, Ohio State University Police, Salvation Army, Southeast Healthcare, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office

H.E.A.L. Human Trafficking Task Force:
Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office

Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force:
Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, BCI, Ohio Investigative Unit, Youngstown Police, East Palestine Police Department, Austintown Township Police Department, Salem Police Department, Warren Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, Compass Rape Crisis and Counseling Center, Beaver Township Police Department

Montgomery County Human Trafficking Task Force:
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Butler Township Police Department, Miami Township Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Oakwood Police Department

Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office, Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, East Cleveland Police Department, MetroHealth Police Department, Cleveland Police Department, Warrensville Heights Police Department, North Olmsted Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Ohio Investigative Unit, Homeland Security Investigations, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Harriett Tubman Movement, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Wiloughby Police Department, Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, Newburgh Heights Police Department, Ashtabula Police Department, Canopy Child Advocacy Center, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Conneaut Police Department, Solon Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Investigations, Homesafe Inc., Ohio Medical Board

Southeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force:
Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Marietta Police Department, Belpre Police Department, Ohio Investigative Unit, Athens Police Department, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Noble County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Athens County Sheriff’s Office, Meigs County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, Noble County Prosecutor’s Office, Rescue and Restore Coalition

Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force:
Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Portsmouth Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Pike County Prosecutor’s Office, New Boston Police Department, Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office

Summit Regional Human Trafficking Task Force:
Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, Akron Police Department, Hope and Healing, Cleveland Clinic, Springfield Township. Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, North Canton Police Department, Canton Police Department, Richfield Township Police Department, Twinsburg Police Department
 
Also participating in the operation were the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Division of Police PACT, Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio ICAC, Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, New Albany Police Department, Hillard Police Department, Grove City Police Department, Dublin Police Department, Toledo Police Department, Ravenna Police Department



Media resources
 
Hear more from AG Yost on Operation End-OHHT:

• “Always the first goal is to find survivors and help them connect with services…”
• On the difference between “human trafficking” and “prostitution”
• “If something doesn’t seem right, call the tip line.”

• Cleveland & Akron area: Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force Director Larry Henderhan, Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth, Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammatti, Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno, Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel, Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree
• Youngstown: Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene

B-roll, Scene and body-worn-camera footage of the operation
 
Media organizations seeking a video of this morning’s press conference, an interview with AG Yost or additional details about the operation should email Steve.Irwin@OhioAGO.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Steve Irwin: 614-728-5417

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