More than 160 arrests are the shocking result of a sting named ‘Operation Buyer’s Remorse’. An EMT, nurses, educators, retirees, former law enforcement officers, self-employed individuals, and delivery drivers have been arrested yesterday. The youngest suspect is 17 and the oldest is 84 years old. The Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) under Attorney General David Yost’s management executed the mission from September 25th to September 30th across Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, Marietta, and Portsmouth. Curiously enough, a week ago the mainstream media was warning about the increase of child disappearances in the state. More than 1,000 kids were reported missing in Ohio this year.
More than 45 children went missing in the Cleveland-Akron area last month alone, and in August, there were more than 35 missing minors, according to the Ohio attorney general’s missing children website. The disappearances are creating a disturbing trend in northern Ohio, which began in May when nearly 30 children went missing in just the first two weeks. Officials at the time called it an ”extraordinary surge” in missing children cases. Meanwhile, concerned parents have started their own efforts to locate the missing children. Breana Brown, for example, started the organization ”Join Us in Minors Protection” to help bolster support and awareness, and maintain a database of missing kids. A great initiative that we applaud.
‘Operation Buyer’s Remorse’ comprised of coordinated ‘stings’ conducted by OOCIC’s eight human trafficking, major crimes task forces, and nearly 100 local police departments. Searches were also conducted at 11 massage parlors suspected of human trafficking activities as part of ongoing, long-term investigations. Over 149 perverts who were seeking to buy sex have been arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution. Two individuals were arrested for seeking to have sex with minors and six for promoting prostitution. Others were arrested for illegally possessing narcotics and/or firearms or because there were outstanding warrants against them. The charges vary in severity from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.
As a part of the investigation, officials also interviewed 104 survivors of human trafficking. Survivors were provided services from health care and social service organizations too. Authorities were able to seize multiple electronic devices, criminal tools, and nearly $75,000 from multiple locations. The arrests included at least 27 people from Northeast Ohio, as well as at least 20 people from another state or from outside the country. By now, the increase in human trafficking and generalized criminality shouldn’t be a shock for citizens in all of America and Europe, as we let in the worst elements from broken societies through our borders without much hassle. Please remain vigilant at all times and educate your children about the dangers readily available everywhere.