Steubenville, Ohio – On Thursday, Attorney General Dave Yost and Steubenville Police Chief Ken Anderson announced the successful arrest of ten men from three states who were caught attempting to purchase sex during an undercover anti-human trafficking operation.
According to a news release, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost stated that anyone who visits Ohio with the intention of soliciting sex will face legal consequences as the state does not support the selling of sex. Yost commended Chief Anderson for collaborating with their task force and encouraged other agencies to join their efforts in combating human trafficking.
On July 9 and 10, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force conducted a sting operation at the request of the Steubenville Police Department. The operation received additional support from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Harriet Tubman Movement.
According to Anderson, planning and executing investigations like these require a considerable amount of time and effort. He also acknowledged that the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force played a crucial role in making this operation possible. Anderson further emphasized that the success of this operation is a testament to the cooperation and collaboration among law enforcement agencies in Ohio.
Those who were apprehended were:
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- Shawn Anderson, 40, of Follansbee, West Virginia
- Jacob Canterbury, 52, of Follansbee, West Virginia
- Eric Coleman, 49, of Wheeling, West Virginia
- Ronald DiCarlo, Jr., 57, of Mingo Junction, Ohio
- Sean Finsley,45, of Weirton, West Virginia
- Andrew Perry, 45, of Bellaire, Ohio
- Daniel Smith, 38, of Steubenville, Ohio
- David Thomas, 35, of Saxonburg, Pennsylvania
- Michael Virgin, 36, of White Oak, Pennsylvania
- Frank Wiles, 52, of Smithfield, Pennsylvania
The individuals who were taken into custody disclosed their professions as a nurse, steelworker, construction worker, culinary supervisor, machine worker, and coal miner. The charges brought against them included solicitation and/or possession of criminal tools.
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