STARK COUNTY, Ohio — A four-day operation netted the arrest of 14 people – including a preschool teacher – in a child sex crime sting.
Jackson Township Police Chief Mark Brink announced the arrests Tuesday morning.
“Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct” involved multiple agencies from Jan. 31 through Feb. 3. Brink says federal, state, and local departments were among the 15 partners that assisted Jackson Township Police in the operation.
Chief Brink said the suspects arrested believed they were going to meet children ranging in age from 13 to 15 years old. He also said some of the suspects traveled to Northeast Ohio from areas outside of Stark County, including near Cleveland and Columbus.
"These are predators that meet children on the internet and what they will do is either a grooming technique or as soon as the child is willing to meet them, they show up," Brink told 3News.
Brink says the department will be looking at criminal histories of those arrested and check their electronic devices for other possible charges, including child pornography.
"This investigation is not done," Brink added.
One of those arrested is former Cleveland Rape Crisis Center employee Adam Leidtke. He was with the center from March 2017 through May 2018. "Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has had no contact with him since his employment with the agency ended," President and CEO Sondra Miller said in a statement. “Sexual violence is inexcusable whenever and wherever it happens. It’s especially inexcusable when perpetrated by someone who is a helper.”
You can see our interview with Chief Brink in the player below: