ELYRIA, Ohio — A 36-year-old Elyria man was found guilty of more than two dozen criminal offenses Monday in what is being called "Lorain County’s first ever human trafficking trial."
Steven Gilbert now faces up to life in prison plus hundreds of additional years. A jury convicted him of the following charges, most with firearm and human trafficking specifications:
- 7 counts of trafficking in persons
- 3 counts of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
- 2 counts of rape
- 3 counts of kidnapping
- 1 count of aggravated robbery
- 5 counts of compelling prostitution
- 1 count of sexual battery
- 2 counts of money laundering
- 5 counts of promoting prostitution
Gilbert was first arrested in November of 2021, with prosecutors accusing him of using "violence and manipulation" to run a prostitution ring that involved trafficking at least nine victims. His criminal history includes prior convictions for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor as well as various drug charges (he is currently in prison for the latter), and during this investigation police also seized three Mercedes-Benz cars and $21,000 in cash.
Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson released the following statement following Gilbert's conviction:
"Steven Gilbert used a reign of violence and psychological terror to prey upon vulnerable women. He committed the most unimaginable violations of human rights we've seen in Lorain County, and we will not tolerate it.
"I want to thank my assistant prosecutors as well as our Office's victim advocates and investigators for their diligent work in bringing Gilbert to justice.
"This trial is a true testament to the collaborative environment between the Prosecutor's Office and police agencies. Our community and I have tremendous gratitude for the law enforcement officers involved in this investigation."
From the bench, Lorain County Common Pleas Judge James Miraldi also found Gilbert guilty of two counts of having weapons while under disability. Gilbert will be sentenced May 11 at 1:30 p.m.
