On December 8, 2022, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and Jackson Township Police Department conducted an investigation into Human Trafficking with the assistance of the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Stark County Metro Narcotics, North Canton Police Department, Springfield Township, and the Massillon City Prosecutor’s Office. Several men were encountered during the single-day operation. The following individuals answered an on-line advertisement offering explicit sexual services in exchange for payment. The following individuals were arrested:
Name Age Last Known Residence Charges
Dwayne T. Murray 31 Kent, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Willie A. Fountain III 46 Youngstown, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Michael E. Lyon 53 Dover, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Ger Vang 34 Akron, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Joseph E. Sherwood 45 Medina, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Shane L. Gammel 48 Canton, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Possession of Drugs (F-5)
Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs (F-4)
Michael K. Hoover 39 Canton, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
James P. Cooney 47 Brunswick, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Keith D. Larew 50 Salem, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Terry R. Renner 64 Massillon, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Rajiv Abichandani 38 Aurora, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Robert L. Kassler 50 Massillon, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Derek E. Rucker 60 Akron, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Roger D. Hoover 61 Chagrin Falls, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Walter L. Martin 53 Akron, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
Robert J. Yoder 49 Apple Creek, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
John M. Kenzie 58 Coventry Twp, Ohio Engaging in Prostitution (M-1)
Possession of Criminal Tools (M-1)
This operation was a part of the ongoing efforts by the Summit County Human Trafficking Task Force to combat Human Trafficking.
