WARREN — Several men from Trumbull and Mahoning counties were arrested as part of a statewide human trafficking sting that resulted in charges against 132 people, according to a press release.

“Operation END-OHHT,” a collaborative effort between Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office and more than 100 law enforcement agencies, targeted buyers of commercial sex across 19 Ohio counties.

Done Oct. 6 to 12, the sting resulted in charges of engaging in prostitution or solicitation against 110 people, and 22 others were charged with felonies in connection to attempting to buy sex from a minor or possessing narcotics, the release states.

The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force played a significant role in making the arrests, according to Yost’s office.

In addition to the arrests, authorities identified 74 human trafficking survivors during the week, offering them assistance and referring them to health care and social service organizations for support, the release states. Also, law enforcement raided nine locations linked to human trafficking, including massage parlors and motels, seizing more than $20,000 and related evidence.

“This operation aimed to hold accountable those who exploit survivors or fuel human trafficking by agreeing to pay for sex,” Yost said in the release from his office. “We have to attack this scourge by curbing the demand.”

The operation was named after Ohio’s new human trafficking hotline, 844-END-OHHT (844-363-6448), which encourages residents to report suspected human trafficking activity.

Caught

Several local men were arrested in a statewide human trafficking sting. They and they’re charges include:

• Forrest Couch Sr., 49, of Warren, engaging in prostitution.

• Craig Forest, 61, of Youngstown, solicitation in connection with prostitution.

• Scott Gorby, 31, of New Middletown, engaging in prostitution and related offenses.

• Eric Knoch, 57, of Newton Falls, soliciting prostitution and possession of criminal tools.

• David Mscimarra, 62, of Boardman, solicitation in connection with prostitution.

• Scott Pelton, 27, of Cortland, solicitation and engaging in prostitution.

• Nicholas Poore, 31, of Youngstown, charges relate to soliciting prostitution.

SOURCE: Attorney General’s Office