YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has praised the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force for its recent accomplishments in combating human trafficking, highlighting a series of arrests and convictions.
Led by Sheriff Jerry Greene’s team under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, the task force has been instrumental in apprehending individuals involved in purchasing sex and engaging in child pornography. This month, their efforts resulted in 19 arrests, including repeat offenders, emphasizing the ongoing battle against this serious issue.
Recent court outcomes underscore the task force’s effectiveness. Matthew Gingrich of Austintown received a four-year prison sentence for offenses related to child pornography, while Joseph Frye from East Liverpool was sentenced to 32 years for similar charges. These cases illustrate the severity of the crimes and the task force’s commitment to justice.
In addition to these convictions, the task force conducted multiple undercover operations targeting individuals from various professions, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of those involved in illegal activities.
The following individuals were arrested in June as part of these operations:
- Neil O’Brien, 50, of Steubenville
- Scott Seifert, 35, of North Lima (also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia)
- Brian Sellitto, 47, of Willoughby
- Robert French, 42, of Gnadenhutten
- Scott Ortenzio, 61, of Youngstown
- Blair Floyd, 32, of Warren
- Robert Lutman, 48, of Leetonia
- Johnny Wilson Jr., 30, of Opelousas, Louisiana
- Han Yin, 34, of Wadsworth
- Timothy Spotleson, 38, of Boardman
- Darnell Gibson, 38, of Youngstown
- Eric Zelesnak, 47, of Youngstown
- Gary Bartko, 40, of Pittsburgh
- Brandon Williams, 28, of Butler, Pennsylvania
- Peter Oyler, 74, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
- John Kalosky, 52, of Youngstown
- John Nesbitt, 40, of Zelienople, Pennsylvania
- Peter Huskes, 50, of Baldwin, Wisconsin
- Paul Miller, 30, of Warsaw
The Attorney General emphasized the ongoing need for community support and vigilance in combating human trafficking, stressing the importance of continued cooperation among law enforcement agencies and public awareness efforts.