Six Sentenced in Ohio Human Trafficking Ring Linked to Illicit Massage Parlors
WARREN, Ohio — Six individuals have been sentenced for their involvement in a human trafficking operation that exploited women through two illicit massage parlors in Mahoning Valley, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The group, which ran the sex ring under the guise of legitimate businesses, has been ordered to forfeit over $332,000 in seized funds and faces significant fines and prison sentences, which may be suspended if payments are made within a year.
The defendants pleaded guilty in February to charges related to operating a human trafficking ring at Tiger Spa and Sunny Spa in Warren. The investigation, led by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, revealed that women were confined to the establishments, forced to live on-site, and coerced into performing sex acts for money.
“This was a cash-for-sex operation disguised as a massage parlor,” Yost said. “Sheriff Greene and our task force conducted a thorough investigation, tracing funds and gathering critical evidence to build a strong case. This is a victory for justice and a step toward ending human trafficking in our state.”
The six defendants sentenced include:
- Tae Suk Hwang, 63, of Saginaw, Michigan: 68 months in prison (suspended) and a $31,000 fine.
- Young Sug Kim, 62, of New Waterford, Ohio: 66 months in prison (suspended), a $17,500 fine, and deportation.
- Charles McGill, 69, of Warren, Ohio: 130 months in prison (suspended) and a $35,000 fine.
- Sunny Oh, 68, of Palisades Park, New Jersey: 84 months in prison (suspended) and a $27,500 fine.
- Miock Dong Schaffer, 57, of Norwalk, Ohio: 72 months in prison (suspended) and a $17,500 fine.
- Young Hee Yoon, 57, of Warren, Ohio: 144 months in prison (suspended), a $37,500 fine, and deportation.
The case stems from Operation Saving Daylight, a coordinated crackdown executed in March 2023. Investigators seized cash, financial assets, and business records, which were instrumental in securing convictions. The defendants were indicted in 2025 after evidence revealed they had been wiring illicit profits out of state.
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling human trafficking. “This operation sends a clear message that we will not tolerate exploitation in our communities,” Greene said. “Our task force worked tirelessly to dismantle this criminal network and bring justice to the victims.”
Two additional defendants, Dong Melidong and Chang Hwang, are scheduled for sentencing on April 9, while cases against other individuals remain pending.
Ohio’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC), under Yost’s leadership, played a pivotal role in the investigation. The commission focuses on combating organized crime, including human trafficking, across the state.
The sentencing marks a significant milestone in the fight against human trafficking in Ohio, highlighting the state’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and holding perpetrators accountable.
— Reported by Nexio News
