Over 100 Arrested in Massive Child Sex Trafficking Bust in Ohio

Among those arrested were a medical doctor and a church youth director

By Paul Whitehead

 20th September 2019

authorities said the sting was focused on franklin  fairfield  and delaware counties
Authorities said the sting was focused on Franklin, Fairfield, and Delaware counties.

Over a hundred people have been arrested as part of a large child sex trafficking sting operation based in central Ohio, according to reports.

Among those arrested were a medical doctor and a church youth director.

Twenty-four men were nabbed when they arrived at an undisclosed location to meet a child for sex, according to Maj. Steven Tucker of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office

"They show up with sex toys, they show up with lubrication," Tucker said.

the investigation carried out by the internet crimes against children task force
The investigation carried out by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

"They show up with things that clearly somebody isn't going to show up to a house with unless they intended to engage in sexual activity," he added.

The suspects were then charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

The group of 104 suspects included Austin Kosier, 31, an emergency room doctor, and Christian Gibson, 26, a former youth director at Redeemer's at Courtright Church in Columbus.

Authorities said the sting was focused on Franklin, Fairfield, and Delaware counties.

The investigation carried out by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and was overseen by Tucker.

The investigation saw officers pose as underage boys or girls and communicating with men in Internet chats.

the probe also aimed at catching those who sought to sell vulnerable individuals into human trafficking
The probe also aimed at catching those who sought to sell vulnerable individuals into human trafficking.

The four-part simultaneous operation involved more than 30 law enforcement agencies, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said.

The probe also aimed at catching those who sought to sell vulnerable individuals into human trafficking.

Thirty-six men were charged with trying to buy sex.

One man was arrested for promoting prostitution.

Forty-three women, who were connected with social services, we also arrested for selling sex, WBNS-TV reported.

"I'm helping put bad guys away," one of the undercover officers told NBC 4 in Columbus.

"I'm 27, and I pose as a 14-year-old or 15-year-old."

Another female officer posed as a young boy, to reassure the Johns they were not being set up, when in fact they were, NBC 4 reported.

"This operation demonstrates the varying dynamics of sex trafficking in our community," said Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force Director
Sergeant Mark Rapp in a prepared statement.

Source : ‘Neon Nettle'

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