AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - We are learning more about an investigation involving two men and an alleged human trafficking ring discovered in Austintown.

The scope of the investigation is far more extensive than initially thought and dates back more than a decade.

So far 80 victims have been counted and some have even been identified from VHS tapes according to the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department and the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.

The VHS tapes were confiscated during a search warrant at Charles Krusac's Austintown home.  

According to investigators the tapes date back more than 15 years and include young adult females and juveniles engaged in sex acts with the 77-year-old suspect.

It was two weeks ago when Mahoning County Sheriff's Deputies led Krusac away from his Austintown home in handcuffs.  

The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and BCI's Crimes Against Children Unit executed a search warrant confiscating the tapes, photographs and several vehicles. 

Detectives believe what was seized contains evidence of at least 80 victims who authorities say were exploited by sex, drugs and videotapes.

Major Jeff Allen is with the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department and in charge of this investigation. "It is disturbing.  These young adults and juveniles are being controlled either by force or their drug addiction," Allen said.

On Monday, Robert Hellman was the second suspect charged in this human trafficking ring.  He faces four counts of compelling prostitution for now and is being held on $100,000 bond.

U.S. Marshals arrested Hellman after information surfaced he was planning to leave the state when he learned about Krusac's arrest.

"We did not want him leaving the state and then the ability for us to find him would be difficult," Major Allen said.

Investigators say it was Hellman who would find the juveniles and young women and take them to Krusac's home.

"Charles Krusac would pay Ronald Hellman and the girl would stay and that's where he would continue to videotape his encounter with these young adults and juveniles," according to Major Allen.

Now Krusac was able to make his $100,000 bond and get out of jail, but there was no answer when we knocked on the door of his Lou Ida Boulevard home.  

By telephone, his Cleveland attorney Eric Nemecek said interviews would be premature.

Major Allen says even though they have identified several local victims they have also received calls from two to three victims on the local hotline wanting to tell their story about what happened to them in this case.

As investigators work through the details they say one thing is clear the two men already charged fueled the victims' drug addiction for financial gain.

The sheriff's office says from the victims they have identified they can say that they are local, but they don't know if there are victims from across state lines at this point.  

However, the investigation is expected to take some time and they are still working through the process.

That's just one of the reasons why the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone who may have been a victim of this alleged human trafficking ring to come forward.  Just call a confidential hotline that investigators have set-up at 330-480-4940. 

Callers should leave their first name and a return phone number. 

Counselors we spoke with say that one of the most important steps is getting the victims of an alleged trafficking ring to speak out. 

Dawn Powell, a victims services specialist from Compass Crisis Center, said once that happens they can get the help they need.  That usually always involves drug abuse treatment, as well as other services. 

"Some victims may need the support to return home, others may need a shelter placement or some type of safety measure.  All of the services range from what is in need for that specific victim," Powell said.

Powell also tells 21 News that it is especially important that victims know that they can come forward in a safe and confidential way. Anyone can reach out to them.  Once again that number is 330-480-4940. 

Also, Major Allen said that the task force has avenues to provide counseling, housing and whatever services and help a victim may need to get them back on their feet.