Prosecutors Issue First Indictments Under Human Traffcking Law

Prosecutors have announced Franklin County’s first indictment under the state’s new human trafficking law. Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien says four people are charged in a 15-count indictment accusing them of luring a woman from Chillicothe to Columbus, then forcing her into prostitution at several local motels. O’Brien says the new law lets his office issue more charges and pursue longer sentences in human trafficking cases. "(The law lets us) deal with circumstances where people are either forced, or compelled, or coerced, or improperly utilized in sexual activity by other person," O'Brien said. The charges against Roger Rider, Craig Tackett, Mara Morrison, and Richard Evans include trafficking in persons, rape, kidnapping, and promoting prostitution O’Brien says the human trafficking law has already been used several times in the Toledo area, which authorities call a hot bed for human trafficking.