Michael “Mike” Mearan In Jail
Portsmouth attorney Michael Mearan has been indicted on 18 felony counts related to human trafficking spanning 15 years.
Mearan, 74, faces more than 70 years in prison if convicted.
The charges stem from criminal activity in southern Ohio that occurred from 2003 to 2018 and involved six victims.
They include:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Three counts of trafficking in persons (F1)
Five counts of compelling prostitution (F3)
Nine counts of promoting prostitution (F4)
In the early hours of March 25th, members of BCI and other Law Enforcement agencies detained him and raided his home office. Then, the BCI began asking anyone who may have been a victim of Mearan’s or have any information about suspicious activities to speak out.
At that time, AG wasn’t saying what evidence the search of Mearan’s home turned up regarding the sex-trafficking investigation, only that it was still ongoing. But the BCI took the unusual step of asking for victims and witnesses to speak up.
They released, a plea to the public “Anyone with information about Michael Mearan’s suspicious activity can call 1-855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446) or file a tip anonymously online.” This ability to file a tip is still available.
In addition to the BCI’s number, victims can still also call Southern Ohio Sexual Assault Treatment Center 740-353-0660 or 740-355-3528.
The case was investigated by a human trafficking task force as part of AG Yost’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission. The task force consisted of representatives from the Portsmouth Police Department, Department of Public Safety’s Intelligence Unit and Ohio Investigative Unit, and the Attorney General’s Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
The case is being prosecuted as part of AG Yost’s Human Trafficking Initiative and Special Prosecutions Section.
Indictments merely contain allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.