An extensive human trafficking indictment was filed in Trumbull County, naming eight individuals alleged to have orchestrated a trafficking network in the Mahoning Valley. According to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, the individuals are accused of compelling women into prostitution at massage parlors.
Attorney General Yost emphasized the severity of the charges, stating, “There is no humanity – only depravity – in holding a person against their will to profit from their suffering.” He warned that the indictments should serve as a deterrent to criminals, highlighting the commitment of task forces in prosecuting traffickers and aiding survivors.
The indictment alleges that the individuals operated Tiger Spa and Sunny Spa as cover for illegal activities including sex trafficking and money laundering. Women, primarily of Korean descent, were reportedly confined within the establishments, living and working around the clock. Notably, the Tiger Spa has since closed.
The charges, all classified as felonies, arise from an ongoing investigation led by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, part of Yost’s office. “Operation Saving Daylight,” conducted in March 2023, saw law enforcement search the businesses and seize substantial amounts of cash and records.
The indictment covers a span of over five years. Key defendants and charges include Tae Suk Hwang from Michigan facing charges including trafficking in persons and multiple counts of money laundering, and Dong Meliodon from Georgia facing similar charges.
Additional searches were conducted at Sunny Spa, although further details on these are currently unavailable as the investigation continues.
The task force spearheading the investigation includes representatives from several law enforcement agencies, such as the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and local sheriffs’ offices, among others.
Attorney General Yost’s Special Prosecutions Section will prosecute the case in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. The legal principle of presumption of innocence applies to all defendants, pending proven guilt in court.
Ohio residents are encouraged to report suspicions of human trafficking through several dedicated channels, including hotlines and a mobile app.
