Northeast Ohioans arrested in human-trafficking operation [Video]

CLEVELAND — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has announced that 132 people who sought to buy sex — including some exchanges involving minors — were arrested as a result of “Operation END-OHHT,” a statewide human trafficking initiative that was conducted last week.

More than 20 people from Northeast Ohio were arrested during the week-long operation, which took place from Oct. 6-12. 

“We have to attack this scourge by curbing the demand,” Yost said in a press release Monday. “This operation aimed to hold accountable those who exploit survivors or fuel human trafficking by agreeing to pay for sex.”

The statewide operation, led by Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC), took place in 19 counties, including Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula and Geauga. 

“Those arrested included 110 ‘johns,’ who face charges of engaging in prostitution or solicitation, as well as …