COLUMBUS, Ohio — A week-long multi-agency human trafficking enforcement operation across southern Ohio resulted in 18 arrests in Scioto, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, and Ross counties, including one man charged with compelling prostitution, law enforcement officials announced.
The regional effort was part of Operation Spring Cleaning, a statewide initiative coordinated by the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The operation ran from May 13 through May 20, 2026, with the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force and the U.S. 23 Pipeline Task Force leading regional efforts focused on prostitution demand reduction, human trafficking investigations, online exploitation cases, and victim-centered enforcement.
Statewide, the operation spanned 15 counties and produced 122 arrests — 84 for engaging in prostitution or solicitation and 38 felony arrests for offenses including promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, human trafficking, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and drug-related crimes. Law enforcement executed 15 search warrants at locations suspected of human trafficking, seizing more than $120,000. Forty-two human trafficking survivors were identified and referred to healthcare and social service organizations.
A secondary enforcement action during the Pike County operation resulted in the arrest of a man wanted on an outstanding warrant. During that arrest, agents developed probable cause leading to the discovery of approximately two pounds of suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the man’s vehicle. Agents then returned to their Operation Spring Cleaning duties.
“This operation sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the exploitation of vulnerable people in our communities,” said Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman. “I am incredibly proud of the men and women of our office, the task forces, and our partner agencies who worked tirelessly throughout Operation Spring Cleaning. By bridging our resources across county lines and partnering with the Attorney General’s Office, we are actively disrupting these criminal networks, holding offenders accountable, and making Southern Ohio a safer place to live, work, and visit.”
The director of the Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force emphasized that human trafficking is not limited to urban areas. “Human trafficking and exploitation are not isolated to larger cities. They exist in rural communities as well,” the director said. “Through regional cooperation and proactive enforcement efforts, we will continue working to reduce demand, hold offenders accountable, disrupt criminal activity, and protect vulnerable individuals throughout Southern Ohio.”