• Meet Our Team
  • Advertise on SCDN
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Contact Us
Wednesday, October 8
Scioto County Daily News
  • Login
  • Register
Subscribe For $1/week
  • Public Safety
    Chase Scoggins

    A Judge Speaks Out: The Story of Chase Scoggins Echoes Portsmouth’s Own Struggles 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/08/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    OSP 22

    Scioto County Man Involved in Fatal Gallia County Crash 

    Suspect arrested

    CHEATING CLAIM ERUPTS INTO VIOLENCE — HUSBAND CUFFED AFTER WIFE CALLS 911 FROM SHOWER 

    He Just Kept Coming Back: Bizarre Stranger Terrifies Carlyle Avenue Resident 

    CNA Punched in the Face at Wheelersburg Nursing Home

    911 dispatcher

    Trailer Drama in West Portsmouth Prompts 911 Call 

    Gun Spotted in Wheelersburg SUV: Deputies Nab Suspect on Menacing Charge 

    Marcus Riley

    Parolee Back Behind Bars: Man Once Convicted of Drunk Driving with Children Arrested Again 

    Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

    Busted! 10/06/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

    ‘Tweaking’ or Troubled? Always Check on Drivers in Distress 

    drug crisis

    Overdoses, False Alarms, and Needle Sightings: Drug Crisis Keeps Portsmouth Police Busy 

    Hot iPhone Drama: SOMC Theft Leads Cops Straight to Summit Street Bust 

    FROM REHAB TO RANSACK: MAN TURNS MICKEY D’s LOT INTO MADHOUSE 

    Wayne hills

    Wanted Men Nabbed in Wayne Hills: Warrants Catch Up With Harr and Hummel 

    Good Kids CPS

    Kids Caught Walking on US 23: Deputies Step In Before Tragedy 

    Woodbine Apartments

    Late-Night Disturbance at Woodbine Apartments Raises Concerns for Kids in the Home 

    Family Dollar

    Family Dollar Employee Foils Shoplifters  

    Southern Ohio Human Trafficking

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

    Pit Bull Bites Baby’s Face & Other Cases Highlights Strain on Animal Control 

  • Lawrence County
  • Politics

    Democrats Blast Bryan Davis: “Quit Collecting a Paycheck You’re Not Earning” 

    Robert Horton

    Update in Robert Horton Corruption Case 

    Davis Commish

    No Updates, Just an Empty Seat: Powell and Smith Say Davis Drama is Out of Their Hands

    weird strange absurd

    Parking, Murals, and an Indicted Commissioner: Sparks Fly at Portsmouth City Manager’s Conference 

    Bryan Davis Due Back In Court October 21 

    Sean Dunne Next Mayor of Portsmouth?

    Dunne: “It’s Time for Portsmouth to Speak Up” on Davis Resignation 

    confused woman

    Portsmouth Council Weighs Asking Davis to Resign 

    Turning Point USA

    Student Democrats Deny Role in Petition to Ban Turning Point USA at SSU 

    Turning Point USA

    Portsmouth Politics Escalate: SSU Students Petition to Ban Turning Point USA

    Recorder Gary Jenkins

    Scioto County Recorder’s Office Increases Fees 

    Scottie Powell

    Commissioner Powell Responds to Conflict of Interest Questions 

    FOP Endorses Malone, Neff in Portsmouth City Election 

    Bryan Davis

    Where’s Bryan Davis? GOP Says Step Down — Court Says Suspended

    SCDN File Photo

    Where’s Bryan Davis? After Two Missed Meetings, GOP Says It’s Time to Step Down 

    This bench is a different bench located near Jim Dandy's

    Exclusive: The Bench Is Back — But the Political Drama Isn’t Over 

    crisis question

    Where’s Bryan Davis? Commissioners, Citizens Ask the Same Question 

    Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis

    Bryan Davis Arraignment Set, New Judge Assigned 

    Bryan Davis

    Why Commissioner Davis Staying in Office Raises Big Problems 

    Scottie Powell

    Powell Calls on Commissioner Davis to Resign 

    Scioto County Bryan Davis Scandal

    🗓 Timeline of a Scandal: How Scioto County’s Economic Development Crisis Unfolded 

  • Feel Good

    Honoring Scioto County’s First Town — and Its First People: New Heritage Trail Sign Dedicated at Earl Thomas Conley Park 

    A man approaching the bowling lane with a red bowling ball as his three friends in the background cheer him on.

    How Bowling Can Improve Your Mental Health

    A sleek blue sedan parked on concrete. Behind the vehicle is a view of the sky with a setting sun over a body of water.

    How To Make Your Daily Driver Feel Like a Sports Car

    A person's hand is holding a miniature wooden house with a green roof and a budding plant on top against a green background.

    How To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

    A man sitting in a vehicle is handing over an ID card to a female police officer standing by his window.

    Tips for Staying Calm During Police Encounters

    Cyn Mackley

    Cyn Mackley Channels Haunted Appalachia

    A group of friends stand around a table, smiling, laughing, and drinking. There are plates of food on the table.

    Creative Ways To Host Outdoor Events This Summer

    A family of two parents and a young boy and girl are playing laser tag with vests and laser blasters in an arena.

    What Activities To Offer at a Family Fun Center

    Shawnee State University SSU

    Shawnee State University Joins New Athletic Conference, Adds Football to Lineup 

    BREAKING: Commissioners Make Shocking Decision—Halloween to Remain on Halloween 

    Escape to the Hills: A Summer Reading List Set in Appalachia 

    Scioto County Champs: Lady Trojans and Word Wizards Bring Home the Gold 

    “I Held Those Keys Tight” — One Man’s Harrowing Journey from Addiction to Hope 

    Three girls in quinceañera dresses stand beside one another. The one in middle has a gold dress while the other two wear pink.

    Tips for Selecting the Color of a Quinceañera Dress

    The Day the Streak Ended: Lakers’ 1987 Record Broken

    An angler standing at the edge of a lake just after sunset with three fishing rods resting on the ground next to him.

    Night Fishing: Who Is It for and How Do You Start?

    good cops

    Cops Rescue Lost Man 

    good cops

    Kid Misses Bus, Deputy to the Rescue 

    A group of people stands outside with their arms in the air. They hold their hands together, making a pyramid shape.

    Hidden Gems: Community Strategies for Mental Wellness

    good cops

    Man Says He’s Trapped in Armory 

  • Obituaries
    Julia Mae Duke

    Julia Mae Duke, 83 of Piketon

    Dana LaMonte Messer

    Dana LaMonte Messer, 68 of Portsmouth

    Heath Aaron Pollard

    Heath Aaron Pollard, 43 Jackson

    Betty Kathleen Rowe

    Betty Kathleen Rowe, aged 91 of Wheelersburg

    Diana J. Todd

    Diana J. Todd, 81 of Sciotoville

    David W. Bauer

    David W. Bauer, 94 of Wheelersburg

    Dorothy Sue Stringfield

    Dorothy Sue Stringfield, 62 of Portsmouth

    Garry Arnett Hurless

    Garry Arnett Hurless, 83 of Piketon

    William Ratliff

    William C. Ratliff 72, of Portsmouth

    Annetta Collins

    Annetta Collins, 68 of South Webster

    Elizabeth Ann Smith

    Elizabeth Ann Smith, age 62 of New Boston

    Judith Phipps

    Judith Ann (Tackett) Phipps, 84 of Mt. Perry

    Patricia Aileen (White) Attaway

    Patricia Aileen (White) Attaway of Georgia

    Bonnie Lafrida Riddlebarger

    Bonnie Lafrida Riddlebarger, 88 of New Boston

    Fontella Munn

    Fontella Munn, 87 of Lucasville

    Beverly Jane Kessinger

    Beverly Jane Kessinger, 82 of Friendship

    Barbara Williams

    Beth Ann Fite, 68 of Wheelersburg

    Barbara Williams

    Linda Kay Percell, 77 of Wheelersburg,

    William Emanuel Redoutey Sr

    William Emanuel Redoutey Sr., 80 of Portsmouth

    R. Eugene O. Collins

    R. Eugene O. Collins, 93 of West Portsmouth

  • More News
    • All News
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Food & Drinks
    • Local Business
    • National
    • Opinion
    • Regional
    • Strange But True
    • Trending
No Result
View All Result
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
Scioto County Daily News
No Result
View All Result

Ohio Highways Fuel Human Trafficking, Says FBI Director Kash Patel

Mark Craycraft by Mark Craycraft
5 months ago
in Ohio
FBI Kash Patel Ohio
ShareTweetEmail

Ohio has become a key battleground in the fight against human trafficking, and the reason may surprise some: its interstate highway system. FBI Director Kash Patel recently emphasized that the Ohio network of intersecting highways makes it one of the most active trafficking hubs in the nation. According to Patel, the state’s infrastructure allows traffickers to treat Ohio like a nationwide relay route, making quick and discreet handoffs of victims and illegal goods.

Due to its central location, Ohio is within a one-day drive of nearly half of the U.S. population, making it a strategic launching point for trafficking activity. Major highways like I-70, I-75, I-71, and I-80/90 intersect the state, providing ideal conditions for traffickers to move quickly and avoid detection. In Southern Ohio, the connecting state highways 23, 33, 35, and 52 provide a busy connecting corridor to these interstates as well as easy access to West Virginia and Kentucky. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued repeated warnings about the prevalence of trafficking through rest stops, motels, and truck stops that line these routes.

Kash Patel  has been vocal about Ohio’s role in national trafficking operations. In a widely shared interview, FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the state’s roadways serve as a superhighway for traffickers: “Ohio possesses the roadway system where the trafficking is through the roof just because of the interstate.” Patel emphasized the importance of interstate intersections, which enable traffickers to switch drivers and vehicles, making it harder for law enforcement to track victims.

RELATED POSTS

Julia Mae Duke, 83 of Piketon

A Judge Speaks Out: The Story of Chase Scoggins Echoes Portsmouth’s Own Struggles 

Heath Aaron Pollard, 43 Jackson

Across Ohio, authorities are encountering both drug and human trafficking cases with alarming frequency. Joint law enforcement task forces continue to combat the crisis, but officials stress that public awareness is essential to breaking this cycle.

Please Support This Local Business

What Families in Ohio Can Do to Prevent Trafficking

If you’re a parent or grandparent living in Ohio, there are concrete steps you can take to protect your children from becoming victims of human trafficking:

Educate your children.  While many parents still teach “Stranger Danger,” the reality is far more complex — and more dangerous. Most trafficked children are not taken by strangers, but by family members, family friends, or adults already known to them. It’s crucial to teach children that danger doesn’t always come from unfamiliar faces. Help them understand that anyone who tries to manipulate, control, or exploit them — even someone they know — is a threat. Emphasize the importance of setting personal boundaries, recognizing inappropriate behavior, and knowing how to safely say “no” — even to people they’ve been taught to respect.

Stay involved. Know your child’s friends, monitor social media, and keep open lines of communication. Encourage them to use the buddy system and to check in regularly. Familiarize yourself with the adults in their life — coaches, teachers, and mentors.

Know the signs. Trafficking victims may show sudden changes in behavior, avoid family contact, or start hanging out with older, controlling individuals. Watch for unexplained bruises, expensive gifts, or secretive online activity.

Act quickly. If you suspect a child is being lured or groomed, do not wait. Call 911 or report to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. If trafficking is suspected, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

In short, don’t assume it can’t happen in your community. With Ohio being a major conduit for trafficking operations, vigilance is not just recommended — it’s necessary.

Bottom Line:
Ohio’s roadways may crisscross the nation, but families can build strong fences of awareness, action, and education. As FBI Director Kash Patel has warned, this isn’t just a federal problem — it’s a local one. And the solution starts at home.

Tags: breakingChildrenEducationFamilyFBIHuman TraffickingLawmissingNationalNewsletterOhio
Please Support This Local Business

TRENDING NOW

Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 10/01/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

October 1, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 09/30/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

September 30, 2025
Mark Craycraft

SCDN Names First Suspect in Explosive Human Trafficking Case: Attorney Gene Meadows 

September 30, 2025
Busted Arrests Portsmouth Scioto County Mugshots

Busted! 09/29/25 New Arrests in Portsmouth, Ohio – Scioto County Mugshots

September 29, 2025
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost

135 Arrested in Statewide Human Trafficking Crackdown — Southern Ohio at the Center 

October 1, 2025

ABOUT US

We are a grassroots team of local journalists on a mission to give our community up-to-the-second news and events for Southern Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Western West Virginia. We believe progress inspires change and we believe our reporting has become the front-lines of Portsmouth, Ohio's comeback.

CATEGORIES

  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Casino
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • Food & Drink
  • Local Business
  • National
  • Obituaries
  • Ohio
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Public Safety
  • Regional
  • Strange But True
  • Video

AREAS SERVED

  • Portsmouth
  • Wheelersburg
  • Minford
  • Waverly
  • Friendship
  • Ironton
  • West Union
  • Piketon
  • Coal Grove
  • South Point
  • Vanceburg
  • Grayson
  • South Shore
  • Greenup
  • Raceland
  • Ashland

SITE SEARCH

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Trending
  • Public Safety
  • Lawrence County
  • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Feel Good
  • All News
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise on SCDN
  • Legal
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service

© 2025 Scioto County Daily News. All Rights Reserved.