Pike County Sheriff announces arrests in connection with 'Operation Protect Our Kids'
Pike County Sheriff Tracy D. Evans this week announced the results of a continuing longterm investigation that was conducted in Pike and Scioto counties.
“Operation Protect Our Kids” was conducted over a several-month period by the Pike and Scioto County Sheriff’s Offices and Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force, which consists of the following agencies: Ohio Attorney General David Yost, Pike County Sheriff Tracy D. Evans, Pike County Prosecutor Michael A. Davis, Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman, Portsmouth Police Chief Debby Brewer, New Boston Police Chief Carl Compton and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman.
The operation was spearheaded by The Southern Ohio Organized and Major Crimes Task Force’s I.T. specialist, who is the detective/investigator for the Pike County Sheriff’s Office and the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office.
The results of the operation produced several felony arrests and several charges. The operation concentrated on suspects allegedly paying money to have sex with minor boys and girls. The ages of the minors whom the suspects were soliciting to have sex with ranged from 13 years of age to 16 years of age.
The following suspects were arrested during the operation:
• Jarrius M. Dixon – importuning (fifth-degree felony), trafficking in drugs (second-degree felony), possession of drugs (second-degree felony).
• Brad Peters – compelling prostitution (third-degree felony), importuning (fifth-degree felony), attempted sexual conduct with a minor (fourth-degree felony).
• Larry Zehm – importuning (fifth-degree felony), criminal tools (fifth-degree felony), attempted sexual conduct with a minor (fourth-degree felony).
• Keith Anderson – importuning (fifth-degree felony) (gun spec).
• Carl Loper Jr. – importuning (fifth-degree felony).
• Michael Waugh – importuning (fifth-degree felony).
• Larry Hayslip – engaging in prostitution (first-degree misdemeanor).
• Willard Riffe – engaging in prostitution (first-degree misdemeanor).
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