Norwalk is a city of approximately 17,000 residents, situated about midway between Akron and Cleveland in Huron County, Ohio.

In an effort to reduce the demand for prostitution, the Norwalk Police Department and Huron County Office have conducted at least one reverse sting, and publicized the identities of the men arrested.  In September 2010, Huron County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three men during a sting operation targeting a web-based prostitution service that fulfilled sexual, sadomasochistic fetishes.  A local teacher was among the men arrested.  Acting on a tip about a prostitution ring operating in the 3500 block of Ninevah Road in Greenwich, deputies went to that address and arrested and charged one man with fourth-degree felony solicitation. He was released from jail after posting bond the day after his arrest.

Following that arrest, HCSO deputies launched an undercover investigation targeting similar prostitution activity in the area, yielding two more arrests, each charged with soliciting, a third-degree misdemeanor.  The two arrestees were among “dozens” who responded to requests from an undercover agent posing as a prostituted woman on the same website used by the operation resulting in the first arrest.  The two johns arrested had made appointments to meet with the prostitute at a Norwalk hotel, requesting sexual acts using props such as a dog cage, bowl and collar, as well as masking tape, whips and a rubber ruler.