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Northeast Ohio task force arrests 13 in sex-buying sting tied to trafficking crackdown

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Northeast Ohio task force arrests 13 in sex-buying sting tied to trafficking crackdown


LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office shared Saturday morning that task force partners engaged in the statewide Operation Spring Cleaning during the week of May 11.

The Huron County Sheriff’s Office, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office (HEAL) participating in the state-wide operation to actively combat sex trafficking by focusing on illicit massage parlors offering sexual activity for sale.

RELATED COVERAGE: More than 100 people arrested in statewide human trafficking sting, including Cleveland firefighter

During the statewide operation, 122 suspects were arrested with 13 of them being local. Four survivors of sex trafficking were also rescued.

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During the week, the human trafficking task force executed a search warrant at King Me Massage Parlor at 35111 Royalton Road in Eaton Township.

The sheriff’s office said the search warrant executed was part of an ongoing multi-state investigation into the parlor for illegal activity.

Money was seized, several women were interviewed and victims were referred for services. The business was closed by HEAL and the investigation is ongoing.

The women were brought to the U.S. under a ruse they would be part of a work-study program to obtain higher education degrees, but instead, they were forced into an illicit sex trade operation involving multiple massage parlors across the country.

The HEAL task force provided the victims with temporary housing and means to be reunited with their families in their home countries.

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Additionally, the sheriff’s office said the task force carried out another operation on Friday at various locations around Lorain County, which focused on the exploitation of human victims forced to engage in commercial sex acts.

Stark County Human Trafficking Task Force arrests 9 in local sting

During the operation, investigators arrested 13 individuals who were allegedly seeking to engage in commercial sexual activity with adults and minors.

Task force arrests 13 in sex-buying sting tied to trafficking crackdown(Source: Lorain County Sheriff’s Office)

The men arrested (starting from the top left to right) are:

  • Forest Gullet, of Grafton: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
  • Joshua Deblasis, of Parma: Trafficking of persons – commercial sex acts
  • Luke Ilersich, of Cleveland: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
  • Brent Mitchell, of Elyria: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
  • Jeffery Buckhannon, of Elyria: Engaging in prostitution
  • Bo Dunigan, of Parma: Engaging in prostitution
  • Shamar Malik Lucky, of Elyria: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
  • Terry Paugh, of North Olmsted: Procuring, soliciting prostitution
  • Veli Lavikka, of Rocky River: Procuring use of premises for prostitution
  • Matthew Hoke, of Tiffin: Engaging in prostitution
  • Ronald Morgan, of Cleveland: Engaging in prostitution
  • Vincent Digennaro, of Elyria: Engaging in prostitution
  • Labar E Kittleberger, of Avon: Procuring use of premises for prostitution

All the suspects were transported to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office where they were charged.

In addition to the arrests, investigators seized two firearms from individuals encountered during the operation. The presence of firearms underscores the dangers associated with these illicit transactions, the sheriff’s office said.

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Of significant interest, investigators rescued a 43-year-old woman originally from Lorain County who had been trafficked into illicit sex-for-hire operation in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The victim was brought to Lorain County, not to return home, but to continue to be engaged in forced sexual activity for hire, the sheriff’s office said.

She was recovered by investigators at a local hotel, and is being provided humanitarian and legal services.

Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall praised the efforts of HEAL on social media, and thanked all of the agencies who were involved.

The investigations remains ongoing, the sheriff’s office said.

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Anyone with information regarding human trafficking or suspicious activity in Huron, Erie, Ashland or Lorain County is encouraged to contact the HEAL Human Trafficking Task Force at (440) 284-0615, Inspector Coll at (440) 329-3861, or Agent Aviles at (440) 329-3850.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Severe storm damage sweeps across Northeast Ohio with road closures and power outages

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Severe storm damage sweeps across Northeast Ohio with road closures and power outages


NORTHEAST Ohio (WOIO) – Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for part of Northeast Ohio as thousands experience storm damage and power outages Sunday.

Storm damage in Geneva Lake blew over the permanent Ferris wheel at the Old Firehouse Winery.

Storm damage in Geneva Lake blew over the permanent Ferris wheel at the Old Firehouse Winery.(WOIO)

No injuries were reported, and the Ferris wheel was shut down before the storms.

Multiple streetlights are in downtown Cleveland, heading toward University Heights.

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Multiple streetlights are in downtown Cleveland, heading toward University Heights.
Multiple streetlights are in downtown Cleveland, heading toward University Heights.(WOIO)

A tree was reported knocked over at University Heights City Hall.

A tree was reported knocked over at University City Hall.
A tree was reported knocked over at University City Hall.(WOIO)

The Garfield Heights Fire Department reports a large number of downed trees and wires, causing some fires.

The department encourages anyone who comes across downed wires or trees to avoid touching them and to call 9-1-1 so emergency personnel can remove them.

First Energy is reporting that thousands of Northeast Ohioans are experiencing power outages as severe weather crosses the area Sunday afternoon.

According to First Energy, 131,277 Ohioans are without power.

First Energy’s outage map shows counties with at least 500 customers experiencing outages.

Check FirstEnergy’s, AEP’s, and Cleveland Public Power’s websites for the latest outage numbers.M

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In Erie County, State Route 4 West, Bogart Road and State Route 2 in Perkins Township are closed because poles and lines are down in the roadway, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.

The North Ridgeville Police Department said Lorain Road is closed to Stonebriar Lane because a tree and a power line are down on the roadway.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued for multiple counties, including Cuyahoga and the Cleveland area. The warning is expected to last until 9 pm.

Storm conditions are expected to lessen around 7 pm.

Submit any photos and videos from storm below.

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Check back with the 19 News First Alert Weather team for the latest weather forecast.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Former Browns running back rescued from flooded road

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Former Browns running back rescued from flooded road


CLEVELAND, OH — Former Cleveland Browns running back Greg Pruitt was rescued by Cleveland firefighters Friday after the 74-year-old attempted to drive through several feet of water that flooded Holton Avenue following a water main break.

Pruitt told News 5 Investigators he didn’t realize the water was as deep as it was until it began filling the cab of his Nissan pickup.

He said he climbed out of his sunroof to safety.

“We could hear him because he was blowing the horn,” said Monte Madden, whose family owns a truck wash and auto recycling business nearby.

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Madden and his uncle pulled Pruitt’s truck out of the water.

He said he’s fed up with the flooding on a low-lying section of Holton Avenue that passes underneath a train bridge near East 90th Street.

“We have to rescue people out of our own neighborhood,” said Madden. “This is what we have to go through because we don’t live in Pepper Pike. We don’t live in Beachwood.”

Madden said street flooding when it rains has been an ongoing problem for years but seems to be getting worse.

Signs warn drivers that the road may flood, but he said many either don’t see the signs or ignore them.

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Now he’s worried that if someone doesn’t do something to alleviate the lakes that form on the secluded section of street, the consequences will be deadly.

“My worry is that someone may be in a smaller car,” said Madden, “and come through here and not make it.”





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Cleveland, OH

Northeast Ohio weather: Dry start to weekend; showers, storms return Sunday

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Northeast Ohio weather: Dry start to weekend; showers, storms return Sunday


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Sunshine and southerly winds have delivered for your Saturday, allowing temperatures to surge back into the middle and upper 80s!

Unfortunately, these nice conditions aren’t expected to last too long, though.

Showers and thunderstorms will begin working into the area later in the morning hours of tomorrow.

Thunderstorms will become more widespread along a cold front that should work through the area during the afternoon hours of tomorrow.

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Not a whole lot of energy will be available for severe thunderstorms, at least over northeastern Ohio.

Severe weather will be likely, though over Pennsylvania and upstate New York.

Things will clear out by tomorrow evening and night, as temps plummet back into the 50s and 60s.

High pressure will set in for the day on Monday, allowing sunshine to return, along with nice temps into the low to mid 70s.

Dry conditions are expected to remain in place through the middle of next week, until our nest system rolls in during the day on Thursday.

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This will slide through the area during the overnight Wednesday night into Thursday morning, driving in the development of more showers and thunderstorms.

These storms should linger into Thursday morning.

In the meantime, gusty winds to 40 or 45 mph will be in place for the morning hours of Thursday as well.

Because of this, a 19 First Alert Weather Day is in place for Thursday.

Better conditions will push in, as high pressure takes control going into Father’s day weekend.

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Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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