SCDN was the first to report an unusually high number of arrests for soliciting in Scioto County over the weekend.
Now, Ohio Attorney General David Yost has revealed it was all part of a statewide crackdown on human trafficking.
Yost said that if the men are convicted, they’ll be required to undergo human trafficking education, also known as “john school.”
“Operation Time’s Up,” coordinated under AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission, was a multi-pronged effort involving law enforcement in Franklin, Mahoning, and Scioto counties, which focused on crimes against children by arresting individuals seeking to buy sex from minors.
The 21 arrested in the sweep face felony charges that include attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Sheriff David Thoroughman said, “The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force strives to provide ongoing awareness to the citizens of central Ohio. To continue our commitment to combat human trafficking, it is imperative that every member of our community identifies the warning signs of human trafficking and plays an active role in reporting possible victimization. This crime can only be successfully investigated and prosecuted when every member of society is committed to fighting for the safety and security of all our people.”
We will continue to monitor the developments and provide updates as we can.