Agents from the Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and Solon Police arrested 13 men during an undercover operation targeting those attempting to purchase sex, according to an announcement by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The arrests included two men accused of seeking sex with minors.
“Too often our task forces arrest predators seeking to have sex with children – a sickening fact that should send a chill down the spine of every parent,” Yost said. “If you think human trafficking only involves sex between adults, you’re wrong.”
The operation took place on October 16 in the Solon area and was aimed at apprehending individuals attempting to buy sex as well as identifying potential victims of human trafficking. The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force operates under Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.
Two suspects, Peter Moller, 66, of Brunswick, and Dwayne Murray, 34, of Kent, were charged with compelling prostitution involving a minor after allegedly trying to solicit sex from undercover agents posing as minors. Both face felony charges in Cuyahoga County.
Lafayette Robinson, 33, of Cleveland, was arrested on a felony charge of promoting prostitution.
Ten other individuals were charged in Bedford Municipal Court for engaging in prostitution:
– Timothy Asberry, 67, Willoughby
– Ajene Enaharo, 43, Solon
– Harmanjit Ghuman, 59, Macedonia
– Donald Ketring, 70, Madison
– Gul Mashwani, 28, Cleveland
– Richard Nichols, 61, Burton
– Andrew Novak, 49, Cleveland
– Brandon Rice, 48, Solon
– Timothy Szekely, 56, Stow
– Brandon Tschantz, 38, Reminderville
The task force also identified nine potential victims of human trafficking and recovered two children who had been previously reported missing. Two foreign nationals encountered during the operation were referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
These arrests are part of ongoing efforts against human trafficking in Ohio. On September 29th it was announced that a statewide sting named Operation Next Door resulted in the arrest of 135 people. Subsequent operations led to eight more arrests in Steubenville and the apprehension of a doctor in Youngstown accused of agreeing to pay for sex with a minor.
“Our work will continue until everyone gets the message: Don’t buy sex in Ohio!” Yost said.
The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and led by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department. It includes members from several law enforcement agencies and advocacy organizations across northeast Ohio.
