Cleveland, OH
Current, former Cleveland firefighters among 122 people arrested in Attorney General’s latest statewide sex sting
(WJW) — A statewide sex sting coordinated by Attorney General Dave Yost’s office led to the arrests of one current and one former Cleveland firefighter on prostitution charges.
Dozens of law enforcement agencies across Ohio between May 13 and May 20 collaborated on Operation Spring Cleaning, which led to 122 human trafficking arrests in 15 counties, according to a news release from the AG’s office.
Of those, 38 people were arrested on felony charges for allegedly trying to meet with undercover officers posing as minors for sex. Another 84 “johns” were caught dealing with prostitutes, authorities allege.
The investigation also identified 42 human trafficking survivors, who were referred to health care and social services organizations.
Search warrants executed at 15 Ohio massage parlors suspected of offering illegal services — in Akron, Grafton, Willoughby and elsewhere — yielded $120,000 in forfeitures and other evidence.
Cuyahoga, Lake, Mahoning and Trumbull counties
The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force arrested seven people and executed a search warrant at a local spa.
- The search warrant was at Oriental Spa, 37812 Vine St., Willoughby, where the task force seized $20,000 in cash as part of an ongoing investigation.
- The task force arrested Jason Petrov, 57, of Brooklyn, and Patrick Moner, 63, of Cleveland, each on a count of engaging in prostitution. Petrov is an active Cleveland firefighter and Moner is a retired Cleveland firefighter, according to the AG’s office.
- Dustin Crowder, 41, of Georgia, and Jeffrey Murphy, 53, of Lyndhurst, both believed they were meeting with juveniles for sex, according to the AG’s office. The task force arrested both on charges of compelling prostitution and possessing criminal tools.
- The task force arrested Michael Pavlov, 29, of Newton Falls, on charges of rape and endangering children in a case involving a 6-year-old.
- The task force arrested Jeffrey Villanueva, 56, of Niles, and Jeff Anders, 55, of Boardman, on charges of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning and possessing criminal tools.
- The task force also secured the indictment of Misti McKinney, 38, of Youngstown, on charges of trafficking in persons, promoting prostitution, soliciting, robbery, retaliation and others. McKinney is accused of coercing victims as young as 17 into prostitution, as reported by FOX 8 sister station 27 First News.
Huron, Erie, Ashland and Lorain counties
The H.E.A.L. Human Trafficking Task Force made one arrest, executed one search warrant at a local spa and identified three human trafficking survivors who were referred to social services. They also seized $18,622 in cash.
- The task force raided King Me Spa, 35111 Royalton Road, Grafton.
- The task force arrested Mesha Michael Savi, 33, of Carlisle Township, on a charge of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.
Medina and Summit counties
The Summit Regional Human Trafficking Task Force charged three people with sex charges relating to minors and raided a spa.
- The task force executed a search warrant at La Lune Spa, 102 Western Ave., Akron.
- The task force charged Izaeik Groos, 24, of Akron; Jordan Novak, 38, of Euclid; and Tyrell Taylor, 38, of Akron, each with importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
84 ‘Johns’ charged
Of the 84 “Johns” caught during the operation allegedly trying to buy sex, nearly 50 were from Northeast Ohio. See the full list of arrests below:
Yost’s office has conducted eight large-scale human trafficking busts since 2019, which have resulted in more than 1,000 arrests, according to the AG’s office.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Police arrest 22-year-old in connection with deadly shooting of 20-year-old woman
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman, which investigators initially thought was a suicide.
According to the Cleveland Police, on Wednesday at around 7:53 a.m., officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim and a suspected suicide attempt in the 15700 block of Puritas Avenue.
When officers arrived, they found a 20-year-old woman with what first appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Cleveland EMS responded and took her to a local hospital.
According to the release during the investigation, officers determined that the information provided at the scene was inconsistent with the injuries sustained by the victim.
Officers then interviewed a 22-year-old man who was on the scene, and he was arrested.
On Thursday, the 20-year-old woman, identified as Brielle Nash, died due to her injuries, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Police said the case has since been reclassified as a homicide investigation.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
Cleveland, OH
East Cleveland teams up to stop illegal dumping
EAST CLEVELAND, OH — East Cleveland is fighting back against illegal dumping in the city, introducing a new partnership with the Cuyahoga County Environmental Crimes Task Force and planning new, tougher penalties to fight dumping.
“There will be hell to pay if you dump in East Cleveland,” Mayor Sandra Morgan told a crowd gathered for a town hall meeting Thursday.
A trip around town revealed the scope of the problems.
Furniture, tires and other trash stretched for yards near Collamer and Elderwood.
Over on Taylor Road, two piles of dumped furniture frame Erica Anderson’s home.
“I’m tired of it,” said Anderson. “Real tired of it.”
So is the mayor.
“It’s not a minor thing,” said Morgan. “It’s significant. It plays a really significant role in ruining our community.”
She said it’s not just a nuisance, but also drives away potential investment in the city.
It’s why she’s hoping the new partnership, aimed at investigating, catching and prosecuting illegal dumpers, makes a difference.
It’s an effort the city plans to bolster by increasing penalties that Morgan said often amounted to only a slap on the wrist.
“They wouldn’t dare dump in their own communities,” said Morgan, “but they feel they can come here because they don’t think that we care.”
To change the perception, in the coming weeks, she hopes council will approve potential jail time, impose steep fines and require people caught dumping to pay for the cleanup — changes the mayor hopes will send a strong message.
“This is the city saying we’re not a landfill and we’re not going to take your crap anymore,” said Morgan.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Target Big Board: Ranking Potential Acquisition for the Offseason
The Cleveland Cavaliers will have all summer to try and improve their roster.
Even though it seems like President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman wants to keep the core of this team intact, the Cavs might have no other options than to make some trades.
In the NBA, you have to give something up to get something good back in a return package. Let’s take a look at a few potential acquisition targets for the Cavs to look into this offseason.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
According to several reports immediately following Cleveland’s Eastern Conference Finals sweep at the hands of the New York Knicks, it feels like the Cavs didn’t have much of an appetite to chase Antetokounmpo.
But could that change after watching the Knicks dominance in the NBA Finals?
Even at 33, Antetokounmpo is still one of the best players in the NBA. It would likely cost the Cavaliers Evan Mobley, but it would signal that they’re going all in for another championship in 2027.
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
If LeBron decides that Cleveland is the best place for a potential farewell tour, the Cavaliers should be interested in a reunion for the third time.
Even if it were to cost the Cavaliers some assets in a sign and trade with the Lakers, James would bring a championship mentality to a team that has underwhelmed in the postseason.
Donovan Mitchell and James Harden would complement LeBron very nicely. If the Cavs are able to retain their bigs, the lob threat potential would be endless. A combination of Mitchell and Harden with either Max Strus or Sam Merrill should provide James with ample shooting threats.
It almost makes too much sense. Of course, there’s a chance that James could return to the Cavs as a free agent, too.
Tre Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have been rumored to have plenty of interest in Jarrett Allen this offseason. If the Cavs decide to trade away their center to pave the way for Mobley’s role to expand, Murphy would be a target that makes plenty of sense.
The Cavs are starved for a wing. At 6-foot-8, Altman would be hoping that Murphy could fit Mitchell and Harden better than De’Andre Hunter was able to.
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee Bucks
The Cavs and Bucks have had trade conversations in a package centered around Antetokounmpo, but what if Portis could also be dealt?
Altman should look to upgrade Cleveland’s big man depth this offseason. Portis plays solid defense and can space the floor. When Allen and Mobley needed a break, Thomas Bryant and Larry Nance Jr. just didn’t give the Cavaliers enough last season.
A backup makes plenty of sense this offseason.
Follow
-
Los Angeles, Ca30 minutes agoMLB to screen Hollywood classic at drive-ins nationwide
-
Detroit, MI50 minutes agoDetroit at Le Mans: Cadillac favorite, Ford poised for 2027
-
San Francisco, CA1 hour agoHudson Pacific lands SF’s biggest office lease in nearly a decade
-
Dallas, TX1 hour agoNFL Brazil tickets are available: Shop Cowboys vs. Ravens NFL Brazil tickets now
-
Miami, FL1 hour agoNorth Miami man accused of stabbing victim 7 times
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoEverything you need to know about Sail Boston 2026
-
Denver, CO1 hour ago
Broncos’ Jonathon Cooper arrested again on four charges, including harassment, violation of protection order
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoRibbon-cutting marks completion of mixed-income condos in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge