(RightWing.org) – In late September, the Polk County Florida Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 219 individuals during a week-long human trafficking operation. Undercover agents working for Sheriff Grady Judd also snared three Disney workers and a public school teacher for soliciting prostitutes. Likewise, Ohio law enforcement officials recently concluded an extensive operation that netted an elementary teacher, two college professors, and a field grade Air Force officer.
On October 2, Ohio Attorney General David Yost’s (R) office issued a news release announcing the successful conclusion of a statewide human trafficking crackdown. Code-named “Operation Buyer’s Remorse (OBR),” the weeklong effort led to the arrest of 160 individuals.
The notice also reported the distressing news that officials with the Lancaster Police Department and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office arrested a sixth-grade teacher. Nick Claybourn, 29, faces criminal charges related to “engaging in prostitution.”
Likewise, a sting operation targeting “Johns” led by a human trafficking task force from Montgomery County led to the arrest of Ramesh Karki, a visiting mathematics professor at Indiana University. That undercover effort also led to the arrests of Michael Masterson, a University of Dayton professor and administrator; Air Force Major Jason Goins; and Air Force Staff Sergeant Shawn Ryken.
AG Yost assigned Ohio’s Organized Criminal Investigations Commission (OOCIC) to lead OBR. Eight of the OOCIC’s major crimes and human trafficking task forces conducted the operation from September 25 through 30.
The press release noted that law enforcement officials conducted sting operations “in every corner of the state.” Agents executed 11 search warrants at massage parlors suspected of engaging in activities related to human trafficking.
The operation led to the arrest of six individuals for promoting prostitution, two for attempting to connect with minors for illicit acts, and 149 “Johns.” The latter category of arrestees face charges related to engaging in prostitution.
Yost praised the law enforcement officials involved in the coordinated effort to combat human trafficking. He also noted that the operation’s success was measured not only by the number of arrests but also by the amount of intelligence collected that will “propel” future, long-term criminal investigations.
The operation also saved 104 victims of human trafficking.
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