Authorities in Ohio arrested 160 suspected patrons of sex workers during a weeklong human trafficking crackdown called “Operation Buyer’s Remorse,” the Ohio attorney general’s office announced. The operation aimed to arrest those attempting to buy sex and identify trafficking survivors. According to the VIDEO released on YouTub, among the arrested were 149 men suspected of being “johns,” two individuals allegedly seeking sex with minors, and six for promoting prostitution. Others were arrested for narcotics, firearms possession, or outstanding warrants.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost stated that the operation’s success is measured by arrests, support for trafficking survivors, and intelligence gathered for future investigations. He emphasized targeting the demand for sex work to deter involvement in human trafficking.
Operation Buyer’s Remorse involved statewide efforts, including major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo. Task forces conducted sting operations from Sept. 25 to Sept. 30, also searching 11 massage parlors suspected of trafficking.
Prostitution is illegal in Ohio, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Advocacy groups, such as Decriminalize Sex Work, argue that punitive measures increase discrimination against sex workers and conflate consensual sex work with trafficking, making it difficult for victims to report exploitation without risking prosecution. Human Rights Watch and the ACLU also advocate for decriminalizing sex work to improve safety and access to services for sex workers.
CBS News contacted these advocacy groups for comments on the operation but did not receive immediate responses.