Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Monday that 160 individuals have been arrested as a result of a week-long human trafficking crackdown across the state.
The human trafficking crackdown, ‘Operation Buyer’s Remorse,’ sought to arrest those trying to buy sex and to identify survivors of human trafficking, according to Yost’s office. The operation was led by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) and lasted from September 25 to September 30.
Those arrested range in age from 17 to 84.
In addition, according to Yost’s office, the arrestees came from all different backgrounds and occupations, including an EMT, nurses, educators, retirees, former law enforcement officers, self-employed individuals, delivery drivers, and others.
“Law enforcement across Ohio teamed up in a concerted effort to stem the demand that fuels human trafficking,” Yost said in a statement. “The success of this operation is measured not only by the number of arrests but also by the resources offered to survivors of human trafficking and the intelligence gathered that will propel long-term investigations forward.”
A total of 104 survivors of human trafficking were interviewed by law enforcement officers throughout the operation and were provided services from health care and social service organizations.
The outcome announcement of the operation came days after Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the availability of a new grant program to help fund victim service agencies in order for them to meet the needs of survivors of human trafficking.
The Direct Services for Victims of Human Trafficking Grant Program was created by Governor DeWine and the Ohio General Assembly as part of Ohio’s new operating budget, according to the governor’s office.
There is currently $4 million in funding available for nonprofit organizations through the program to help them “adequately serve the growing number of sex and labor trafficking victims in need of support” across Ohio.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Image “Operation Buyers Remorse Arrestee” by Ohio Atty Gen Office.
