COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, which is organized under the Ohio Attorney General’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission, has recently made multiple arrests of individuals who are accused of seeking sex with minors. The task force’s mission is to target the demand side of human trafficking.
On January 24, the task force arrested Richard E. Kozak, 31, of Youngstown, Ohio, after an investigation revealed evidence of online crimes against children. Kozak, who is employed as a corrections officer at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, allegedly participated in sexually explicit conversations with a juvenile and detailed his desire to sexually assault a 15-year-old. He was charged with compelling prostitution, importuning, and possession of criminal tools. The company that operates the facility, CoreCivic, cooperated with the investigation.
On January 6, the task force arrested John Slates, 75, of Richmond, Ohio, after he allegedly attempted to engage in sex with individuals he believed to be a 15-year-old female and her adult mother. Slates was charged with compelling prostitution, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning, possessing criminal tools, and engaging in prostitution.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said, “Every parent should take comfort in knowing these predators are off the street, no longer attempting to buy sex with children. Kudos to Sheriff Greene and the task force for their continued work to arrest those seeking to prey on victims.”
Additionally, with the help of the Salem and East Palestine police departments, the task force conducted other undercover sting operations that targeted individuals who were attempting to buy sex.
Also arrested in January —
- Jan. 1 – Russell Miller, 41, Struthers, was charged with engaging in prostitution, possession of criminal tools, and voyeurism.
- Jan. 3 – Austin Bennett, 25, Elyria, was charged with soliciting and possession of criminal tools. He also was found to have two arrest warrants.
- Jan. 4 – Matthew Cessna, 43, Youngstown, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.
- Jan. 4 – Jerome Hassan, 59, New Castle, Pennsylvania, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.
- Jan. 5 – Andrew Lightner, 43, Alliance, was charged with solicitation and possession of drug paraphernalia
- Jan. 6 – Michael Lawson, 38, Butler, Pennsylvania, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools
- Jan. 6 – Gary Casey, 47, Girard, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools
- Jan. 7 – Mai Alei, 42, Youngstown, was charged with solicitation and possession of criminal tools
- Jan. 8 – Seth Ensign, 23, Youngstown, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools
- Jan. 11 – Cody Heasley, 26, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.
- Jan. 13 – Wissam Zarour, 50, Youngstown, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.
- Jan. 13 – Justin Palmer, 43, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania; was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools
- Jan. 13 – Ollie Patrick Jr., 52, Mineral City, was charged with engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools
- Jan. 19 – Jamal Jamison, 31, Wintersville, was issued a summons for soliciting prostitution and possession of criminal tools
“Our message is clear: Don’t buy sex in Ohio – you will be charged and held accountable,” Yost said.
