Cambridge is a city of approximately 10,000 residents that serves as the government seat of Guernsey County, Ohio. Prostitution and sex trafficking activity within the county have been well-documented. This activity and the problems and ancillary crimes it generates result in complaints to law enforcement agencies. Among the more serious crimes associated with the local commercial sex market is sex trafficking.

Consumer-level demand provides the revenue stream for all prostitution and sex trafficking, and has been targeted by local law enforcement agencies as a strategy for prevention and response. While the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office has not (to our knowledge) conducted standard, proactive reverse stings for prostitution, the agency has responded to tips and launched investigations that have resulted in the arrest of sex buyers and disclosure of their identities. For example, in November, 2022, a Cambridge man was arrested and charged with promoting prostitution and obstructing justice. The Guernsey County Sheriff said that the man was taken into custody after detectives from his office along with Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrested him after learning of his involvement with a local massage business in which prostitution occurred. Officials said the suspect was facilitating day to day operations at the business and was also “paying for sexual services.” The man was taken into custody in county jail awaiting a hearing at the Cambridge Municipal Court. His identity was disclosed in news reports.