Norton Police, human trafficking task force raid massage parlor

By BOB MOREHEAD
BGNN senior staff writer

NORTON  Norton Police, working with the Summit Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, with Summit County Sheriff Deputies, executed a search warrant July 17 at the Mei Spa on Wadsworth Road.

“This action was the culmination of an in-depth investigation into prostitution and human trafficking affecting our communities,” Norton Police Chief Brett McShane said in a press release July 24. “It underscores a commitment to combating illegal activities and making sure our community is a safe place to live, work and play.”

One suspect was detained and interviewed and officers seized an array of undisclosed materials. The Hope and Healing organization provided service to the victims. Police did not identify the suspect, nor were the number, ages and sexes of the trafficking victims disclosed.

Human trafficking in the area came to light in particular in 2015. That year, a Norton High School sophomore was lured to Georgia and trafficked. Serendipitous arrival of local police to a domestic call found and saved the teen.

As a result, the school district that fall gave intensive in-service training on human trafficking to faculty and staff and pared down versions to students and the community.

Attendees learned the hard truth that Ohio is a popular human trafficking destination with the Barberton-Norton area in the top 10 locations.

Fastforward to May 2024. Rahab Ministries, which attends to women caught up in prostitution and was one of the major presenters in the training nine years earlier, delivered the keynote at the Community Prayer Breakfast. In it, she confirmed many local bar owners or managers did, in fact, pimp out the women working there. Other than saying it happens not far from Johnson United Methodist Church, where attendees were gathered that morning, speaker Bethany Miller did not identify the establishments.

On the July 17 bust, McShane asked anyone who suspects prostitution and/or trafficking to contact their local law enforcement agency.