Columbus

‘I was treated like a piece of meat,’ Columbus human trafficking survivor shares her story
|

‘I was treated like a piece of meat,’ Columbus human trafficking survivor shares her story

A Columbus attorney is alleging major hotel chains know or should know about sex trafficking happening on their properties, and he’s filing several lawsuits in federal court against them. One of the hotels he’s suing is Red Roof Inn, based in New Albany. According to Sgt. Dana Hess, the director of the Central Ohio Human…

4 indicted in west Columbus human trafficking, drug bust
|

4 indicted in west Columbus human trafficking, drug bust

A Franklin County grand jury indicted four people in connection to a human and drug trafficking ring in Columbus, following a yearslong investigation by an Ohio crime investigation task force. The suspects were charged with 44 felony charges for criminal activity that occurred from 2018 to 2022. RELATED: Columbus police arrest 13 gang members during…

Sen. Jen Jordan visits Columbus launching statewide beauty shop tour – WTVM
|

Sen. Jen Jordan visits Columbus launching statewide beauty shop tour – WTVM

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – Early voting in Georgia is set to kick off in a week and Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in the November election. With those key dates right around the corner, one candidate running for state Attorney General visited the Fountain City earlier today. Many may see salons…

Project to house trafficking victims secures funding to move forward – The Columbus Dispatch
|

Project to house trafficking victims secures funding to move forward – The Columbus Dispatch

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority announced Thursday that it had secured a $15.6 million financing plan that paves the way to begin construction on an affordable housing community to serve survivors of human trafficking. The project, named Harriet’s Hope for slave-turned-abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who helped others escape slavery, is set to be built on the…

Center for human trafficking survivors coming to Ohio
|

Center for human trafficking survivors coming to Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Housing for survivors of human trafficking is coming to Columbus in 2023. A 52-unit facility called Harriet’s Hope — after Harriet Tubman, the African American woman who rescued people from slavery in the 1800s — will be a first for Columbus, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority said in a media release. CMHA…

Most trafficked children are victims of family members – The Dispatch
| | |

Most trafficked children are victims of family members – The Dispatch

Human trafficking doesn’t look like what you think it does based on social media, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Coordinator Ashlee Lucas told the Exchange Club Thursday afternoon. Ashlee Lucas “It is very important that you not spread the misinformation that is so prevalent on social media,” she said. “They’re saying there are zip…

Raising awareness for human trafficking
|

Raising awareness for human trafficking

Mississippi’s 2021 human trafficking report COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- According to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, human trafficking is becoming more common in small towns rather than large cities. An agent from the human trafficking and special victims unit, Ashlee Lucas, spoke to the Columbus Exchange Club today. According to MBI’s website, there were 275 reports…

AG: 35 arrested across Ohio following human trafficking sting
|

AG: 35 arrested across Ohio following human trafficking sting

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dozens of people across Ohio were arrested over the weekend for trying to buy sex, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Yost said the statewide human-trafficking operation resulted in the arrest of 35 “Johns” seeking to buy sex and 21 others seeking to buy sex from minors. The 21 arrested face…