A ninth defendant has pleaded guilty in connection with a Mahoning Valley human trafficking sex ring, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene announced on Mar. 3.
The plea is part of an ongoing investigation into a group that operated a human trafficking ring at two massage parlors in Warren, Ohio. The case highlights continued efforts by law enforcement to address human trafficking and related crimes in the region.
Suk Hui Starr, 65, of Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted money laundering and one count of possessing criminal tools in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. Under the plea agreement, she will forfeit $200,000. Authorities said Starr collected rent from co-defendants who engaged in human trafficking on her property. While she was not directly involved in the trafficking itself, she knew about the illegal activity and continued to accept payments from those responsible. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
In February, eight other defendants pleaded guilty to charges related to illicit massage parlors. Another case against Kum Cha Shugars remains pending. Indictments filed last year accused the group of confining women at Tiger Spa and Sunny Spa, forcing them to live on site and perform sex acts for money.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force led the investigation as part of “Operation Saving Daylight,” which included search warrants executed at the businesses in March 2023. Investigators seized large amounts of cash, financial assets, and business records during the operation.
Yost’s Special Prosecutions Section is prosecuting these cases. According to the official website, Yost leads the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as attorney general. Jonathan Blanton serves as first assistant attorney general overseeing legal operations for the office according to its official website. The office seeks to safeguard Ohio residents through law enforcement, consumer protection, and state representation according to its official website.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office operates from its main headquarters in Columbus with regional offices throughout Ohio for localized services according to its official website. It provides legal advice to agencies across the state and enforces regulations while prosecuting cases according to its official website.
