Two men from Texas have been arrested in central Ohio on suspicion of human trafficking. They were apprehended by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, as announced by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The suspects traveled to Ohio with four victims, including one juvenile.
The task force was alerted by the FBI’s Houston office and the Texas Department of Public Safety about a missing juvenile believed to be in Columbus. With assistance from the Columbus Division of Police’s PACT Unit, efforts were made to locate the minor.
On March 13, Timarrea Granderson, aged 27 from Cyprus, Texas, was taken into custody along with one victim. Later that evening, Larry Hill, aged 26 from Houston, barricaded himself inside a residence on West Kanawha Avenue in Columbus but was eventually apprehended. Two more victims were found at this location thanks to support from the SWAT team and Sharon Township Police Department.
The fourth victim was rescued elsewhere. All victims are receiving services from the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force.
Granderson and Hill face charges in Texas for trafficking and compelling prostitution of a minor and await extradition.
The task force comprises members from various law enforcement agencies and organizations under Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission. It covers 25 counties across Ohio serving over half of its population.
To report suspected human trafficking in Ohio:
– Call (844) END-OHHT.
– Text “ENDOHHT” to 847411.
– Download the END OHHT app on Apple or Android devices.
– Submit information online at gov/ENDOHHT.
