Suspects arrested in Mahoning Valley human trafficking sting
The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office says 34 people were arrested during a two-month-long sting operation conducted by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force.
Sheriff Jerry Greene tells 21 News that the arrests were made during Operation Full Court Press in a crackdown on predators seeking to engage in sexual activity with children online.
"There's a lot of moving parts here, there's a lot of man power hours, there's a lot of investigative hours, these operations are very labor intensive," said Greene.
The suspects are from all walks of life. In addition to the charges they face, the sheriff listed their occupations which include factory worker, computer tech, security officer, electrician, truck driver, engineer, customer service, pipefitter, butcher, business owner, and salesman.
"We started looking for people that were basically trolling the internet looking for underage boys or girls to have sex with," Greene told 21 News. "Either to hook up with, or for money or types of prostitution."
From June 1, 2021, through July 29, 2021, fourteen of the suspects were arrested in Columbiana County.
Over a three-day period this past weekend, officers from several communities arrested 20 suspects in Mahoning County.
To catch these predators, Greene says that they work with several agencies that will pose as underaged individuals to talk with potential threats online.
"There's a person online that we call a 'chatter,'" Green said. "They portray an underage individual that's talking with the person online that's looking for sex, and they'll be given an address or place to meet at and that's where the arrest will take place."
Greene says parents should continue to monitor who their kids are speaking with online.
"It could easily be someone looking to take advantage of them," Greene said. "The numbers keep getting greater. They're not going away so we're not going away."
Federal, state, and other law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation.
The suspects below were booked into the Mahoning County Jail on the following charges:
Scotty Akins, 32, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools, Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles
Brendan Beasor, 21, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Roy Brock, 48, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
David Collica, 31, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Rafael Cortes, 33, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Matthew Davis, 30, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Brian Evans, 49. Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools, Compelling Prostitution
Miguel Felipe, 19, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools, Compelling Prostitution
Donald Griffin, 39, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Dakota Hoffaker, 31, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Andrei Makarov, 40, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Poss Criminal Tools, Compelling Prostitution, Procuring
Richard McLemore, 47, Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, Compelling Prostitution, Possessing Criminal Tools
Daryl McLendon, 25, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Mark Reda, 28, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Brian Rogers, 59, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Poss Criminal Tools, Compelling Prostitution
Reuben Saucedo, Importuning, Possessing Criminal Tools, Soliciting
Gary Seevers, 48, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
James Smalley, 51, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Mark Young, 54, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Importuning, Poss Criminal Tools
Nikitas Zirounis, 52, Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor, Poss Criminal Tools, Compelling Prostitution, Engaging in Prostitution
