OHIO — 13 men were arrested in Ohio during an undercover operation targeting individuals attempting to buy sex, including two accused of seeking sex with minors, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s Office announced.
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The arrests were part of a one-day operation conducted by the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and Solon Police on Oct. 16.
The operation aimed to apprehend individuals seeking to buy sex and identify potential human trafficking victims.
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“Too often our task forces arrest predators seeking to have sex with children – a sickening fact that should send a chill down the spine of every parent,” Yost said.
Peter Moller, 66, of Brunswick, and Dwayne Murray, 34, of Kent, were charged with compelling prostitution involving a minor after allegedly attempting to buy sex from undercover agents posing as minors, the officer said.
Lafayette Robinson, 33, of Cleveland, was arrested on a felony charge of promoting prostitution.
Ten other men were charged with engaging in prostitution, including:
- Timothy Asberry, 67, Willoughby
- Ajene Enaharo, 43, Solon
- Harmanjit Ghuman, 59, Macedonia
- Donald Ketring, 70, Madison
- Gul Mashwani, 28, Cleveland
- Richard Nichols, 61, Burton
- Andrew Novak, 49, Cleveland
- Brandon Rice, 48, Solon
- Timothy Szekely, 56, Stow
- Brandon Tschantz, 38, Reminderville
The task force identified nine potential victims of human trafficking and recovered two children who had been reported missing, the office said.
Additionally, two foreign nationals were referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The operation builds on recent successes, including the arrest of 135 people during a statewide sting named Operation Next Door and subsequent arrests in Steubenville and Youngstown.
“Our work will continue until everyone gets the message: Don’t buy sex in Ohio!” Yost said.
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