The defendants, ages 20 – 63, engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with undercover officers posing as children. Contact was initiated through popular social media applications. The defendants expressed an interest in engaging in sexual activity with the purported children. Some of the defendants disseminated images of their genitals and others offered to pay for sexual activity during the online conversations.

Initial charges – ranging from third-degree to fifth-degree felonies – were filed against the defendants, which include:

• Compelling Prostitution
• Attempted Unlawful Sexual Conduct With A Minor
• Disseminating Matter Harmful To Juveniles
• Importuning
• Possessing Criminal Tools

The arrested individuals include:

• Brian Ferguson, 38, Cleveland
• Andre Johnson, 37, Maple Heights
• Luca Ascione, 31, Strongsville
• Doug Matheson, 51, Berne, New York
• Timothy Rankin, 37, Elyria
• Glen Martin, 52, Eastlake
• Christopher Docy, 28, North Ridgeville
• Dominick Craig, 37, Logan
• Gerald Rhome, 51, East Cleveland
• Deandre Anderson, 24, Warrensville Heights
• Tai’rez Jackson, 24, Cleveland
• Esteban Baltazar, 63, Springfield, Tennessee
• Oscar Aparicio, 24, Houston, Texas
• Mohammad Mabrouk, 29, Cleveland
• Michael Sullivan, 20, Cleveland
• Brett Musselman, 33, Kent
• David Whitfield, 35, Geneva,
• Delwin Ortiz, 29, Cleveland
• Samuel Kanyaruginga, 35, Cleveland
• Domonic Delvalle, 35, Cleveland
• Clyde Sweeney, 46, Fairlawn
• Jason Kopco, 27, Westlake
• Zachary Brodeur, 37, Flynn, Massachusetts
• Vishwatej Nath, 45, Berea (charges will be filed in Lake County)
• Klajdi Vrapi, 27, Fairview Park

“Operation Guardians’ Watch was coordinated by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ohio ICAC Task Force with the assistance of the Newburgh Heights Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Parma Police Department, Sheffield Village Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations Cleveland, U.S Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation Cleveland, Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Kirtland Police Department, Lyndhurst Police Department, Amherst Police Department, Warren Police Department, Perrysburg Police Department, Kelleys Island Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, and Portage County Sheriff’s Department.

This is the seventh undercover operation the Task Force has led since 2018. The total number of arrests from the Task Force’s operations stands at 160 offenders arrested.

*Ohio ICAC Task Force:

The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is run under the direction of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and funded in part by a grant from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The task force conducts proactive and reactive investigations dealing with the online exploitation of children and provides training and technical assistance to more than 385 local, state, and federal criminal justice-affiliated agencies throughout the state of Ohio.

Smith leads all of Major League Baseball with 26 saves while posting a 2.90 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts across 38 appearances. He’ll represent Cleveland in Philadelphia alongside rookie teammates Parker Messick and Travis Bazzana.

For a pitcher leading the majors in saves, he’s received remarkably little national attention.

Stats were taken prior to play on July 7.

Ready When the Opportunity Arrived

As a rookie in 2024, Smith emerged as one of baseball’s best setup men, appearing in 74 games while posting a 1.91 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts in 75.1 innings. His 28 holds illustrated exactly how much trust Cleveland already had in him.

He followed that with another outstanding campaign in 2025, throwing 73.2 innings with a 2.93 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, 104 strikeouts, 16 saves, and 19 holds.

When Clase was removed from the closer’s role following his suspension and eventual leave, Smith inherited one of the highest-pressure jobs in baseball. After blowing his first two save chances, he settled in quickly, converting 13 of his final 16 opportunities over August and September while pitching to an ERA in the mid-2.00s.

He carried that momentum into October, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts during Cleveland’s Wild Card Series against Detroit.

So, this season hasn’t been a breakout nearly as much as it has been a continuation.

Rachelle M. Hale, age 45, passed away on July 3, 2026. She was born on August 1, 1980, in Cleveland, Ohio, to her loving parents, Richard and Cheryl Hobbs.

Beloved wife of John Kevin Hale, Jr. Devoted mother of John Kevin Hale, III, Jacob Hale, Zackary Hale, and Hannah Hale. Cherished grandmother of John Hale, IV, Alivia Hale, Zayden Hale, Avianna Atwood, Aunika Hale, Jonnalynn Hale, Layla Hale, Ja’Von Atwood, Jr., and Jacob Hale, Jr. Dear sister of Kelly Hobbs, Rickie Hobbs, Donald Hobbs, and Shane Hobbs. Treasured aunt to a host of nieces and nephews.

Rachelle found her greatest joy in spending time with her family, especially her beloved grandchildren, who brought endless happiness to her life. She will be remembered for the love she shared, the memories she created, and the unwavering devotion she had for those she held dear. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Family and friends are welcome on Thursday, July 9, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Slone & Co. Life Celebration Center 3556 W. 130th St. Cleveland, OH 44111. A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at West Park Cemetery 3942 Ridge Rd, Cleveland, OH 44144 (Please meet at cemetery gates by 11:15 a.m.).