Green is a city of approximately 26,000 residents, situated roughly equidistant between Akron and Canton in Summit County, Ohio. Prostitution activity, at times involving the commercial sexual exploitation of minors, has been documented in the community for over 20 years. Violence against women in prostitution, including armed robbery, have also been documented in the city and surrounding county. In 2016, a 59-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were arrested after authorities were called to a park in Green. A Summit County Sheriff’s deputy responded to call to Boettler Park regarding a suspicious vehicle. The man met the 17-year-old online and arranged to pay her for sex. The man was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence, possession of methamphetamine, solicitation, and possession of drug abuse instruments. He was taken to the Summit County Jail.

Though local efforts to reduce demand appear limited, on at least one occasion law enforcement have conducted an investigation targeting individuals attempting to solicit minors for commercial sex acts. In July 1994, media outlets reported the arrest of a man at a Green motel on felony charges of soliciting a 12-year-old boy for prostitution. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported he had been intercepted “as the result of an investigation and sting operation [led] by Summit County Sheriff’s deputies.” Although the details of the sting were not reported (i.e., it is unclear if a decoy or other “traditional” sting tactics were employed), the Plain-Dealer noted that the man had driven from his hometown to the location, picked up a motel key, and “was arrested by the detective who awaited him in the [motel] room.” His name, employer, and other identifying information were released to the public; he ultimately pleaded guilty in November 1994.

In December 2016, Summit County sheriff’s deputies arrested 10 people for soliciting prostitution after a human trafficking sting at a hotel in Green. The operation was conducted by the sheriff’s office in conjunction with the FBI. Not many details were released about the operation, but the arrestees were charged with soliciting and at least one with possession of cocaine.