Lisbon is a village of about 3,000 residents and is the county seat of Columbiana County, Ohio. Located along the Little Beaver Creek, it is a part of the Salem micropolitan area, about 23 miles southwest of Youngstown. Prostitution and sex trafficking have been documented in the county and surrounding areas.

To address consumer-level demand, law enforcement has conducted reverse stings in Lisbon. In January 2023, five men were arrested following a sting operation in Columbiana County. The investigations were conducted from August to November, and involved an undercover officer posing as a juvenile. The men were arrested after making arrangements with the undercover officer to meet up for sex, and each was charged with compelling prostitution, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, engaging in prostitution, and possessing criminal tools. Their identities were released to the press.

In March 2023, a man was sentenced to 87 days in jail, with credit for 87 days served, for engaging in prostitution, possessing criminal tools, and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia after he responded to an ad posted by an undercover officer and arranged for sexual activity in exchange for $20. The man requested a cab ride from Hanoverton to Lisbon from a fictitious cab company with the cab driven by another undercover officer on December 6, 2022. At the time of his arrest, the man was in possession of methamphetamine and a meth pipe. The man’s identity was released to the press.