Another Arrest Tied to Southern Ohio’s Ongoing Human Trafficking Crackdown

Southern Ohio law enforcement continues to tighten its focus on prostitution and human trafficking operations, with investigators reporting yet another arrest as part of a broader regional effort. The case mirrors recent stings conducted across the state that have led to dozens of arrests and the identification of trafficking survivors. This latest arrest stemmed from an undercover operation led by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force, and the Southern Ohio Organized Crime Task Force. Investigators placed contact with a woman advertising online under the name “Kali California.” The ad explicitly offered sexual services in exchange for money. When the woman arrived and met with an undercover officer, she allegedly confirmed the price for sexual acts before officers entered the room and detained her. The suspect was identified as Bobbi Adams of Kentucky. She told investigators that exchanging sex for money was her “job,” remarking, “I go to work just like you do.” Adams was arrested on a charge of soliciting prostitution. She appeared in municipal court, entered a not guilty plea, and was appointed a public defender. She is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on October 27. A Pattern Across Southern Ohio This case is not isolated. Just days earlier, Operation Next Door, a statewide crackdown led by the Ohio Attorney General, resulted in 135 arrests, including a man from Ironton who tried to purchase sex from a minor. Locally, that operation involved the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Portsmouth Police, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force. Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman called trafficking “a grave injustice that affects people even in our rural communities,” while Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer emphasized that her officers “will do whatever it takes to end sex trafficking.” Together with the long-running probe into disgraced Portsmouth attorney Mike Mearan—which exposed allegations of trafficking and exploitation involving multiple victims—the pattern of arrests demonstrates that Southern Ohio remains a key battleground in the state’s fight against human trafficking. Why It Matters From statewide sweeps to local undercover operations, law enforcement agencies are making it clear that prostitution and trafficking will not be tolerated. Advocates say these arrests highlight both the pervasiveness of the problem and the need for continued support for survivors. For now, the spotlight remains on the courts, where suspects like Adams will face charges as investigators continue to build cases aimed at dismantling networks that prey on Southern Ohio’s most vulnerable.

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