ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — An Athens County teacher was among those arrested in a human trafficking sting in Hocking County. The Guardian reported earlier today on the arrest of five individuals who the Sheriff’s Office said responded to an online ad for sex with women and children.
According to Hocking County Sheriff Lanny North, 52-year-old Wayne Horsley was among those arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution.
Horsley was a teacher in the Athens City School District.
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Gibbs released a statement saying, “The Athens City School District has been notified that a teacher at Athens High School was arrested over the weekend and charged with solicitation. The members of the Athens City School District Board of Education and Administration condemn human trafficking in any form and are very disappointed to learn that one of our own employees may have supported such an egregious practice. While we cannot comment specifically on our investigation, please be aware that the teacher in question has been placed on paid leave at this time and has been directed not to have any contact with students or staff and will not be permitted on any school property until this matter is resolved. My office will cooperate with the Hocking County Prosecutor’s Office and the Southeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force in completing our investigation and reaching a conclusion to this matter as quickly as possible.”
Four other individuals were also arrested in connection with the operation.
A 17-year-old juvenile was charged with being delinquent by engaging in prostitution, a 1st-degree misdemeanor.
Erick M. Wrestler, 50, of Logan, was arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution, a 1st-degree misdemeanor.
Stewart Rebell, 49, of Ware, Massachusetts, was arrested on a warrant for importing, a 4th-degree felony. The warrant was issued by Task Force Agents for Rebell, who is a registered sex offender, and had previous convictions for juvenile sex offenses, including multiple charges of rape of a child, by force, or with the threat of murder.
Kyle Crowe, 22, of Chillicothe, was arrested and charged with Engaging in Prostitution, a 1st Degree Misdemeanor.