Staff report

WARREN — Multiple law- enforcement agencies partnered to arrest eight people in a one-day sting, targeting individuals seeking to buy sex via the internet.

The sting took place Friday in Newton Falls, where all eight men were arrested, according to a spokesperson from Ohio Attorney General David Yost’s office.

Shane Shilling, 43, of Warren; Darryl Jullierat, 33, of Kinsman; Paul Arthur, 41, of Columbiana; Dustin Estep, 28, of Struthers; William Messer, 62, of Wayland; Walter Allen, 28, of Youngstown; Thomas Vescera, 59, of Hermitage, Pa.; and Robert Banks, 59, of Jefferson were arrested on charges of solicitation and possession of criminal tools after the recent bust, according to a news release.

“These guys didn’t know if they were dealing with a willing participant or someone under the control of a pimp’s drugs and influence – and they certainly didn’t know they were about to meet our task force officers,” Yost said. “My advice – don’t buy sex in Ohio.”

Once arrested, the eight men were processed through the Trumbull County jail.

Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe said the sting was in response to a crime tip received a few months ago regarding illegal prostitution.

“We reached out to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, which assisted in planning this operation. This operation was conducted to show those people who participate in this type of activity that they are not welcome in Trumbull County,” said Monroe.

He said the operation was a “true team effort.”

Agencies and social service organizations involved in the operation are: the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, TAG Drug Task Force, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Warren Police Department, Austintown Police Department and the Cortland Police Department.

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