More than 100 individuals across Ohio have been arrested in a comprehensive statewide operation targeting human trafficking and prostitution.

Attorney General Dave Yost announced that 135 people seeking to purchase sex, including from minors, were arrested during "Operation Next Door" conducted by law enforcement agencies statewide. Among those detained was a 76-year-old priest who admitted to prior solicitation offenses, according to Yahoo News.

The operation was specifically named to emphasize how human trafficking occurs in communities rather than hidden locations. Yost stated that these crimes happen in plain sight and may involve coworkers or neighbors rather than operating exclusively in shadows.

High-Profile Arrests Include Religious and Educational Leaders

Dean Dimon, a 76-year-old priest from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland, was arrested for soliciting prostitution during the operation. He admitted to law enforcement that he had committed a previous solicitation offense, raising concerns about repeat behavior.

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh released a statement expressing deep disappointment about the arrest and condemning the alleged acts. Church officials immediately placed Father Dimon on administrative leave, removing him from all pastoral and ministerial duties pending legal proceedings.

Additional arrests included educators and public servants who hold positions of trust within their communities. Among those detained were a substitute teacher from the Trotwood Madison School District and a man claiming to be a former Wapakoneta police officer.

Rescue Operations Recover Minor Victims

Law enforcement successfully located and recovered a 14-year-old girl identified as being at risk for trafficking during the operation. The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force opened an investigation to identify potential traffickers involved in her case.

A 17-year-old missing female was recovered from the Cleveland residence of a registered sex offender. Authorities also rescued an adult victim with developmental disabilities who had been transported to a sting location by a suspected trafficker.

The victim with developmental disabilities was placed in the care of victim advocates while investigators gathered evidence for prosecution. These rescue operations demonstrate the dual focus of the initiative on both arresting perpetrators and protecting vulnerable individuals.

Massage Parlor Raids Uncover Criminal Networks

Multiple massage parlors across Ohio were targeted with search warrants as part of ongoing human trafficking investigations. Authorities raided establishments in Lakewood, Cleveland, Tallmadge, Akron, and Toledo suspected of facilitating prostitution and trafficking activities.

Law enforcement seized more than $62,400 from massage businesses during the raids, indicating substantial financial operations. The targeted locations included Green Massage Spa, Dandelions Promise Foot Spa, U Mei Spa, Pearl Spa, Blue Sky Spa, Sky Spa, Asian Healthy Massage, and Asian Massage.

Multiple individuals were detained and charged with promoting prostitution at these establishments, with some facing additional charges after testing positive for HIV. The coordinated raids suggest extensive intelligence gathering and planning to disrupt organized criminal networks operating across state regions.

Why this story matters

This story reveals how deeply embedded human trafficking can be in everyday communities. From church officials to classroom substitutes, those implicated show that trust can be abused by anyone. It serves as a wake-up call to take trafficking threats seriously and support both prevention and recovery efforts.

Conclusion

During Operation Next Door, law enforcement across Ohio carried out a wide-reaching effort to expose human trafficking, resulting in 135 arrests and several minors being rescued. Among those charged were a Cleveland priest, a substitute teacher, a former police officer, and individuals from across the country.

Authorities shut down suspected trafficking fronts, including massage parlors and private homes. In total, thousands of dollars were seized, and multiple investigations remain ongoing as the state addresses the very real crisis of human exploitation occurring close to home.