In a major crackdown on human trafficking, authorities in Ohio have arrested 160 individuals suspected of being patrons of sex workers. The operation, known as "Operation Buyer's Remorse," aimed to target those attempting to purchase sex and also identify survivors of human trafficking. The majority of those arrested were men suspected of being "johns," with 149 out of the 160 arrests falling into this category. Two individuals were arrested for allegedly seeking to have sex with minors, while another six were arrested for promoting prostitution. The remaining arrests were related to illegal possession of narcotics and firearms, or other outstanding warrants.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost emphasized the importance of targeting the demand that fuels human trafficking. He stated, "Law enforcement across Ohio teamed up in a concerted effort to stem the demand that fuels human trafficking." Yost also highlighted the success of the operation, not only in terms of the number of arrests but also the resources offered to survivors of human trafficking and the intelligence gathered for future investigations.

The operation was led by an investigative commission focused on organized crime, and it covered every part of the state, including major cities like Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Youngstown, Marietta, and Portsmouth. Eight task forces from human trafficking and major crimes divisions conducted sting operations between September 25th and September 30th to identify and apprehend the suspects. Additionally, search warrants were executed on 11 massage parlors suspected of involvement in human trafficking.

Prostitution is illegal in Ohio, with various state laws prohibiting individuals from compelling, soliciting, and procuring sex from sex workers. However, advocacy groups such as Decriminalize Sex Work and the ACLU argue that punitive measures against prostitution may increase discrimination and stigma surrounding sex workers. They believe that decriminalizing sex work would enhance the safety of sex workers and allow them to access critical services without fear of prosecution.

Despite the success of Operation Buyer's Remorse, concerns remain about the conflation of human trafficking and consensual sex work. Organizations like Human Rights Watch stress the importance of laws that clearly distinguish between these two activities to protect sex workers and survivors of sex crimes.

Authorities carried out warrant-based searches on five massage parlors during the operation, leading to the arrest of six individuals connected to these establishments on suspicion of compelling prostitution. Border Patrol, one of the law enforcement agencies involved in the operation, participated in these searches.

The operation also made contact with over 100 survivors of human trafficking, offering them information about social services. It's worth noting that none of the individuals arrested were specifically accused of human trafficking, as Ohio has separate legislation to address this crime.

The crackdown on patrons of sex workers in Ohio represents a significant step in the fight against human trafficking. However, organizations representing sex workers and civil liberties are yet to respond to requests for comment on Operation Buyer's Remorse. These groups have long argued for the decriminalization of sex work, emphasizing the evidence that criminalization increases the risks faced by sex workers and hinders efforts to combat violence and abuse in the industry.