News Summary
A human trafficking operation in Ohio, named ‘Operation Next Door,’ has resulted in 135 arrests statewide, including a priest and a schoolteacher. Launched by Attorney General Dave Yost, the operation targeted those seeking to buy sex, particularly from minors. The initiative involved over 100 law enforcement agencies and provided support to 67 survivors of trafficking, showcasing the ongoing battle against this crime within the community.
Cleveland, Ohio – Two residents from Northeast Ohio have been arrested as part of a significant human trafficking operation that resulted in a total of 135 arrests statewide. The operation, named “Operation Next Door,” was announced by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and targeted those seeking to buy sex, including from minors. The operation represents one of the most extensive efforts to combat human trafficking in Ohio, involving over 100 law enforcement agencies across the state.
Among those arrested are a 76-year-old priest from Avon and a 55-year-old schoolteacher from Cleveland Heights. The operation was led by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC), with multiple task forces, including the H.E.A.L. Task Force, Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, and Summit County Human Trafficking Task Force, actively participating.
Search warrants were executed at three massage parlors believed to be linked to human trafficking activities. During the raids, authorities seized over $30,400 in cash. A total of 32 individuals now face felony charges for various offenses, including promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, seeking sex with a minor, and drug-related charges. In addition, 103 individuals, classified as “Johns,” were arrested for solicitation.
As a part of the operation, authorities provided support to 67 survivors of human trafficking, referring them to social service and healthcare organizations for assistance. Separate investigations led to further enforcement actions, including the raiding of three additional Cleveland-area massage parlors where $62,000 in cash was confiscated. The massage parlors involved in these operations included the Green Massage Spa, Dandelion’s Promise Foot Spa, and U Mei Spa. Two other parlors in Summit County, Pearl Spa and Blue Sky Spa, were also closed down due to their connections with human trafficking activities.
Rev. Dean Dimon, the priest of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, was arrested for soliciting prostitution and is now scheduled for a pretrial hearing. Investigations revealed that sex purchasers had traveled from as far away as North Carolina and Florida. Alarmingly, a victim as young as 14 years old was uncovered during the investigations into suspected traffickers.
Attorney General Yost has highlighted that human trafficking often occurs in plain sight and is perpetuated by members of the community. He emphasized that treating the purchase of sex lightly only serves to sustain the ongoing issue of human trafficking, reiterating the seriousness of the offense.
This large-scale operation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating human trafficking in Ohio. It serves as a reminder of the hidden nature of this crime and the important role that community awareness and law enforcement cooperation play in tackling these serious issues. The authorities involved hope that this successful operation will bring attention to the severity of human trafficking and inspire further community engagement and action against it.
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Additional Resources
- WKYC News
- Wikipedia: Human Trafficking in the United States
- Spectrum News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Human Trafficking
- WTRF News
- Google Search: Human Trafficking Ohio Operation Next Door
- Fox 8 News
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