A coordinated law enforcement operation in Steubenville, Ohio, led to the arrest of eight men accused of attempting to buy sex, including one individual who allegedly sought sexual activity with a minor. The sting was carried out by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the Steubenville Police Department on October 7 and 8.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Steubenville Police Chief Ken Anderson announced the results of the operation, which focused on curbing demand for human trafficking in the region.
“We’ve said it many times and will repeat it until the message resonates: Don’t buy sex in Ohio!” Yost stated. “We’re committed to going after those who fuel the exploitation of human beings through trafficking.”
Chief Anderson added, “It is vital that we continue to work together and commit our time, effort and resources to combat human trafficking. These operations not only hold the suspects who perpetrate these crimes accountable for their actions but they also raise awareness of the ongoing issue across our state.”
Among those arrested was Charles Shifflett, 51, from Follansbee, West Virginia. He faces three felony counts of compelling prostitution (third-degree), attempted unlawful sexual conduct (fourth-degree), and possessing criminal tools (fifth-degree). Authorities allege he sought sex with a minor.
Justin Sabo, 38, from St. Clairsville, was charged with promoting prostitution, a fourth-degree felony. He is accused of arranging for a potential victim to meet an undercover officer.
Six other men were charged with misdemeanors related to engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. They are Kenneth D. Anderson, 29, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; John Denk, 45, of Allison Park, Pennsylvania; Richard Matve, 65, of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania; Jerrod Rhine, 45, of Toronto, Ohio; Jeffrey Romey, 61, of Wintersville, Ohio; and John Williams, 38, of Wheeling, West Virginia.
This is the second joint operation between the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and Steubenville Police Department. A similar sting in July 2024 resulted in ten arrests for attempting to purchase sex.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force operates under Attorney General Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is led by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office. The task force includes members from several agencies: Ohio Investigative Unit, East Palestine Police Department, Salem Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), Youngstown Police Department, Austintown Police Department, Beaver Township Police Department, Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, and Homeland Security Investigations. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office also assisted in this recent operation.
