Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost today commended the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force for its dedication and effectiveness, following the recent conviction and sentencing of two individuals involved in child pornography and multiple arrests of alleged sex buyers.
"Sheriff Jerry Greene’s task force is the tip of the spear when it comes to fighting the perversion that fuels human trafficking," Yost stated. "So far this month, the task force has made 19 arrests, some involving repeat offenders. This is a sobering reminder that we can’t afford to take our foot off the gas pedal in the fight against this scourge."
The task force, led by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and organized under Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, focuses on investigating and arresting those involved in buying sex and engaging in other sexual crimes such as child-sexual-abuse material (CSAM).
Yost highlighted long-term investigations by the task force that led to recent convictions:
On June 13, Austintown resident Matthew Gingrich, 33, was sentenced to four years in prison. Upon release, he will be required to register as a Tier II sexual offender. Gingrich pleaded guilty to multiple charges including pandering obscenity involving a minor and illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance. The investigation began with a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
On June 20, East Liverpool resident Joseph Frye, 35, received a 32-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to several counts related to CSAM. Frye had previously been convicted of disseminating a nude photograph of a minor. He will also be required to register as a Tier II sexual offender upon release.
In addition to these convictions, the task force has made 19 arrests this month through various investigations and undercover operations. The individuals arrested face charges including engaging in prostitution and possession of criminal tools:
- Neil O’Brien, 50, Steubenville
- Scott Seifert, 35, North Lima; also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia
- Brian Sellitto, 47, Willoughby
- Robert French, 42, Gnadenhutten
- Scott Ortenzio, 61, Youngstown
- Blair Floyd, 32, Warren
- Robert Lutman, 48, Leetonia; previously convicted in January 2022 for similar offenses
- Johnny Wilson Jr., 30 Opelousas Louisiana
- Han Yin ,34 Wadsworth
- Timothy Spotleson ,38 Boardman
-Darnell Gibson ,38 Youngstown
-Eric Zelesnak ,47 Youngstown
-Gary Bartko ,40 Pittsburgh
-Brandon Williams ,28 Butler Pennsylvania
-Peter Oyler ,74 Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania ; compelling prostitution
-John Kalosky ,52 Youngstown ; active arrest warrant out Georgia
-John Nesbitt ,40 Zelienople Pennsylvania
-Peter Huskes ,50 Baldwin Wisconsin
-Paul Miller ,30 Warsaw ; probation/parole violation
The suspects range from ages 30 to 74 and include professionals from various fields such as doctors and truck drivers.
The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force includes representatives from several local law enforcement agencies: Bureau of Criminal Investigation Salem Police Department East Palestine Police Department Austintown Police Department Youngstown Police Department Warren Police Department Adult Parole Authority Ohio Investigative Unit
For further information contact Steve Irwin at (614)7285417.
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