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MANSFIELD — Several weeks ago, local, state, and federal law enforcement pulled back the curtain on a maze of alleged human trafficking centers across seven counties throughout northern Ohio including in Mansfield. According to one local pastor, he is thankful for the recent dragnet and believes the activities of these illicit businesses fronting as massage parlors will not be tolerated.
1523 Lexington Avenue, Unit A, in Mansfield has been a part of a long-term commercial sex investigation and one of the sixteen locations where search warrants were executed by agents with the Ohio Investigative Unit and the United States Secret Service of the Northern District of Ohio Task Force.
One pastor who has been engaged in fighting pornography and sex trafficking is grateful for the operation.
“I’d like to thank the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Mansfield Police Department for their dedicated service. We thank GOD for these folks and pray for them and their families daily,” says Reverend Kevin Evans, President of the Shelby Ministerial Association and Pastor of Ganges Liberty Baptist.
Greg Croft, Agent-in -Charge with the Ohio Investigative Unit told Frontlines Ohio that the investigation is still ongoing. “The Mansfield parlor was searched due to their connection with the main targets and sex acts were taking place inside the location.”
According to Ohio law, “No person shall knowingly recruit, lure, entice, isolate, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, or maintain another person knowing that the person will be subjected to involuntary servitude or be compelled to engage in sexual activity.”
According to The Polaris Project, Ohio had the fifth-most reported cases of human trafficking in 2018.
Evans adds “While other places across our nation may turn a blind eye from the terrible scourge of human trafficking and prostitution, as a community of folks in North Central Ohio with high moral values, these behaviors remain unacceptable.”
“While other places across our nation may turn a blind eye from the terrible scourge of human trafficking and prostitution, as a community of folks in North Central Ohio with high moral values, these behaviors remain unacceptable.”
Reverend Kevin Evans
Ganges Liberty Baptist
Shelby Ministerial Association President
In 2017, agents received complaints about possible illegal activity taking place in Asian massage parlors. The two-year investigation revealed a group of individuals involved in an illegal commercial sex enterprise.
So far, a total of seven persons have been charged with promoting prostitution. More indictments are to follow targeting customers of the illicit massage businesses.
Pastor Evans says that education about human trafficking tailored for parents, teachers, churches, and community leaders is critical to strengthening community resistance to human trafficking.
“Psalms 82:4 tells us to ‘Rescue the weak and the needy and to deliver them from the hand of the wicked.’ Human trafficking is slavery and it dehumanizes people.”
Governor DeWine’s Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force offers a 50-minute online training. This training features information about the signs and indicators of human trafficking and and instructs how a person can make a difference in their neighborhood.
To get help, report a tip about a potential case of human trafficking, find service referrals for victims of trafficking, or request training, call 1-888-373-7888.
View the video news report below on the recent Ohio sting operation.
Featured Image: Pictured are Mayor Reverend Steve Schag, Reverend Kevin Evans, Reverend El Akuchie, and Reverend Walter Keib for Pornography Awareness Week presentation.(Picture courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
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