Law enforcement officials raided The Dragon Spa, a massage parlor in Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio, suspected of operating as a sex-for-pay business. The operation resulted in the seizure of business and financial records as well as thousands of dollars in cash, according to an announcement from Attorney General Dave Yost and Lake County Sheriff Frank Leonbruno.
Attorney General Yost stated, “No licensed, reputable massage business offers sexual services in exchange for money. Illicit massage parlors are a blight on our communities and will continue to be targets for our human trafficking task forces.”
The raid was carried out by the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force—organized under Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission—along with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Mentor-on-the-Lake Police Department. Officers also searched a private residence nearby. Several individuals working at the spa were identified and offered social services.
Lake County Chief Deputy Robert Izzo commented on the operation: “If even one victim of human trafficking can be identified and helped, the operation is a success and worth the effort. We will continue to work to identify those taking advantage of these victims.”
Authorities say their investigation is ongoing. They encourage anyone with information about this case to contact the task force tip line at (216) 443-6085.
This recent action follows several similar raids by local law enforcement and the task force in recent months. In August, four spas were searched in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties. In September, three more spas were raided during Operation Next Door—a statewide anti-human trafficking initiative led by OOCIC.
The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is led by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department and includes members from multiple local police departments, advocacy centers, federal agencies such as U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations, as well as other organizations focused on supporting victims.
To report suspected human trafficking in Ohio:
– Call (844) END-OHHT.
– Text “ENDOHHT” to 847411.
– Download the END OHHT app for Apple or Android devices.
– Submit information online at ohioattorneygeneral.gov/ENDOHHT.
