Sex Trafficking

The New York Times Magazine story reports Lex Wexner was warned Jeffrey Epstein was "a rat" and couldn't be trusted, yet Wexner hired Epstein anyway. Epstein went on to siphon tens of millions of dollars from Ohio's richest man while building a sex trafficking ring.

The city filed a nuisance lawsuit against Sanctuary Night, a Franklinton non-profit that aids women escaping sex trafficking and drug abuse, after reports of criminal activity.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein filed a nuisance lawsuit against Sanctuary Night, alleging open drug use, apparent sex work and property crime.

Prosecutors allege that for nearly two decades, Michael Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured men into taking part in sex parties by dangling the promise of modeling for the clothing retailer, once famous for its preppy, All-American aesthetic and marketing with shirtless male models.

Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries and two other men have been arrested on sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges, a spokesperson for federal prosecutors said Tuesday.

Ohio Atty. Gen. Dave Yost said a new statewide hotline for human trafficking has launched, and a new law is set to go into effect that will allow expungement of prostitution from criminal records.

Harriet's Hope, named for abolitionist Harriet Tubman, will have 52 apartments and available wraparound services like substance abuse disorder treatment.

U.S. District Court Judge Algenon Marbley only allowed six of the 35 civil suits in question to move venues, though the trafficking allegedly took place in hotels across the country.

A two-day human trafficking sting resulted in nearly 100 arrests around Central Ohio. Operation 614 comes on the heels of a new state law penalizing johns.

It’s been a decade since Freedom a la Cart started helping women escape prostitution and human trafficking with counseling, education and a steady paycheck. On Monday, the nonprofit’s services expand considerably as they open their first storefront, the Freedom a la Cart Café.