WARREN– Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe announced that eight men were arrested on Monday following a recent human trafficking operation, including a Columbiana County man.

With the help of various law enforcement agencies, the eight men were arrested during a one-day sting targeting individuals seeking to buy sex via the internet. According to a press release, the individuals were then processed and booked into the Trumbull County Jail.

“These guys didn’t know if they were dealing with a willing participant or someone under the control of a pimp’s drugs and influence – and they certainly didn’t know they were about to meet our task force officers,” Yost said in a press release. “My advice – don’t buy sex in Ohio.”

Among the eight arrested was Paul Arthur, 41, who has addresses in both Columbiana and Negley. All eight were arrested on solicitation charges and for possession of criminal tools.

Monroe said that the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office received a tip pertaining to illegal prostitution in Trumbull County a few months ago.

According to the press release, the agencies and social service organizations involved in the operation include: the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, TAG Drug Task Force, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Warren Police Department, Austintown Police Department and the Cortland Police Department.