A public official from Pennsylvania and a convicted felon from Ohio are among two people arrested in a recent human trafficking sting in Columbiana County, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.

Patrick Geho, 55, of Washington, Pennsylvania, was arrested Friday after responding to an undercover online advertisement and arranging to purchase sex, Yost’s office said in a news release. Upon arrest, Geho identified himself as the director of public relations for Washington County, Pennsylvania. He was charged in Columbiana County Municipal Court with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.

The previous day, David Saunders, 47, of Canton was arrested while posing as a woman selling sex online, the release said. Saunders, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal background, is currently on probation for aggravated burglary and felonious assault. He was charged with solicitation, possession of criminal tools, driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges and face further court appearances.

"Every day and in every area of our state, people from all walks of life are buying sex, and not from willing participants," Yost said in the release. "The criminal behavior of coercion and extortion fuels the demand for human trafficking and continues the cycle. Without demand, traffickers don’t have clients and don’t need victims.”