“Don’t Buy Sex”: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost Leads Successful Operation Buyer’s Remorse, Resulting in Over 160 Arrests for Human Trafficking

The state of Ohio has made more than 100 arrests of “Johns” seeking to buy sex and charged with prostitution in a move dubbed “Operation Buyer’s Remorse.”

The inmates include an EMT, nurses, teachers, retirees, former law enforcement officers, self-employed workers and delivery workers. The youngest person arrested is 17 years old, the oldest 84 years old.

The operation was conducted by AG Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) and took place from September 25 to 30 in all corners of the state, including Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, Marietta and Portsmouth.

“Operation Buyer’s Remorse” consisted of coordinated “stings” conducted by OOCIC’s eight human trafficking, major crimes task forces and nearly 100 local law enforcement officers who also conducted anti-trafficking operations.

Searches were also conducted at 11 massage parlors suspected of human trafficking as part of ongoing, long-term investigations.

Authorities were able to seize multiple electronic devices, criminal tools and nearly $75,000 at multiple locations

Police say 149 ‘Johns’ who wanted to buy sex have been arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution. Two people were arrested for attempting to have sex with minors and six for promoting prostitution.

Others were arrested for illegal possession of narcotics and/or firearms or because they had outstanding arrest warrants.

The charges against them range in severity from a first-degree felony to a third-degree felony.

In a video statement, Yost said, “Our message is simple: Don’t buy sex in Ohio!

“Nearly a hundred law enforcement agencies and service organizations participated in this operation. I am grateful to each partner who has committed their time and resources, as we all play a key role in the fight against human trafficking.

“Law enforcement agencies across Ohio worked together in a concerted effort to stem the demand that fuels human trafficking.

“The success of this operation will be measured not only by the number of arrests, but also by the resources provided to survivors of human trafficking and the intelligence gathered that will advance long-term investigations.”

Police say 149 ‘Johns’ who wanted to buy sex have been arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution. Two people were arrested for attempting to have sex with minors and six for promoting prostitution

Others were arrested for illegally possessing narcotics and/or firearms or because they had outstanding arrest warrants

The charges against them range in severity from a first-degree felony to a third-degree felony

Officials said they believe the problem has been going on for a long time, but they now have the technology and resources to fix it.

As part of the researchOfficials also interviewed 104 survivors of human trafficking. Survivors also received services from health care and social service organizations.

Authorities were able to seize multiple electronic devices, criminal tools and nearly $75,000 at multiple locations.

The arrests involved at least 27 people from Northeast Ohio, as well as at least 20 people from out of state or outside the country.

Noble County Sheriff Jason Mackie said he was bad happy with the success of Operation Buyer’s Remorse.

“The big thing is we know people around us don’t support this. The people involved in human trafficking think they can come to the countryside and get away with it more easily. But we are prepared, we are well trained. And we will not tolerate that.’

Civil servants said they believe the problem has been going on for a long time, but now they have the technology and resources to solve it.