Ohio's fight against human trafficking has recently led to two key arrests, shining a light on the unexpected profiles of individuals involved in this criminal industry. The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, together with local law enforcement, apprehended two men within two days, as reported by the Ohio Attorney General's office.
Last Thursday, David Saunders, 47, a Canton resident who was advertising sexual services online while posing as a woman, was arrested. Saunders, already on probation for aggravated burglary and felonious assault, faces new charges that include solicitation, possession of criminal tools, driving under suspension, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the Ohio Attorney General's office detailed. Notably, the following day, Patrick Geho, 55, from Washington, Pennsylvania, was nabbed when he attempted to arrange for sex via an undercover operation. In an unforeseen twist, Geho declared himself as the director of public relations for Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost emphasized the pervasive nature of this illicit trade: "Every day and in every area of our state, people from all walks of life are buying sex, and not from willing participants," Yost said. "The criminal behavior of coercion and extortion fuels the demand for human trafficking and continues the cycle. Without demand, traffickers don’t have clients and don’t need victims." Geho's charges, as brought forth in the Columbiana County Municipal Court, include engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools.
Yost's stance is clear and stark: "I’ll say it again: Don’t buy sex in Ohio," warning potential buyers of the risks involved. This notion underscores the belief that the task force's recent busts are not isolated incidents but rather a snapshot of a larger, pervasive issue affecting communities across the state.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force operates under the umbrella of Yost's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is a coalition of various agencies, including the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and several police departments. The task force is part of a larger network covering 25 Ohio counties and serving over half the state's population. For those looking to report suspected human trafficking activity within Ohio, a number of resources are available, including a hotline, text service, a dedicated app, and an online submission form.
