YOUNGSTOWN An undercover operation by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force on Wednesday led to the arrest of two women for allegedly offering sex for hire in a high prostitution area of Youngstown. The arrests, which took place following encounters near Market Street and East Myrtle Avenue, resulted in both women facing drug-related charges in addition to solicitation.

The operation involved an undercover agent who was tasked with locating females offering sex for hire while walking in areas known for “street walking”.

In the first incident, the agent spotted a woman walking eastbound on Myrtle Avenue. According to the police report, the woman nodded at the agent and slowed her walk, which the agent recognized as indicators of a female offering sex for hire.

She approached the agent’s vehicle and asked if she just wanted something "quick," which was clarified as oral sex. The 36-year-old woman stated her usual price was no lower than $100, but agreed to $80.

The woman, who the agent said appeared to be under the influence of a narcotic, was taken into custody at a gas station being used as a nearby location to process those arrested.

 Following her arrest by two other agents, she admitted to having a crack pipe in her shorts pocket and a syringe loaded with fentanyl inside her purse, according to the police report.

Officers say they also found a glass pipe with suspected crack cocaine residue and two syringes, one of which was loaded.

The suspect was charged with soliciting, possession of drugs, possession of drug abuse instruments, and drug paraphernalia, and was booked into the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office jail for a court date on Thursday.

In a separate incident the same day, the undercover agent saw a 34-year-old woman walking on Overland Avenue. The woman, who went by "Jazz," waved at the agent and then entered the vehicle. She arranged sexual activity for $80. The agent said the woman also discussed prices for future and multi-hour sessions. During the conversation, she asked the agent if he was a member of law enforcement.

The woman was arrested at the gas station. The arresting Officer recognized her from a previous soliciting arrest. A search of a cigarette box in her hand revealed a baggie of suspected crack cocaine inside a $1 bill. She was also found to have a warrant from the Youngstown Municipal Court for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and a warrant from Boardman. The 34-year-old was charged with soliciting and possession of drugs and taken to the county jail.

Evidence from both arrests, including the syringes, pipes, and suspected crack cocaine, was taken to the police and task force evidence rooms.