Fire safety educator, former prosecutor among 132 arrested in statewide human trafficking sting

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Over 100 people were arrested, including some from the Miami Valley, in a statewide human-trafficking operation.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5, the operation was led by Attorney General Dave Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigation Commission and took place from Oct. 5 through Oct. 12 across the state.

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This kind of work is important to Tonya Folks.

“A lot of people might be shocked that an advocacy organization is on board with the law enforcement side of things,” Folks said.

She’s the head of a faith-based organization, The Oasis House in Dayton, that helps women who are survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

“It raises awareness. It allows survivors to connect with service providers,” Folks said.

Authorities arrested seven men in the Dayton area as part of the sting.

Among them is Jeff Startzman, a former magistrate and county prosecutor, and a current board member for Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS).

Also arrested in Montgomery County was Chuck Arnold, who was identified as a fire safety educator with the Ohio Department of Commerce. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office identified Arnold as a chief fire inspector, however a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Commerce provided his correct position as fire safety educator in a statement to News Center 7.

“This is a grave allegation, and we are taking it very seriously. We are unable to comment any further, since the investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson said.

Both Startzman and Arnold are accused of buying sex.

“You don’t know when you buy sex whether that person is willingly participating or is being trafficked ... that means if you buy sex in Ohio you are complicit,” Yost said.

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News Center 7 reached out for statements from ADAMHS.

“We cannot comment on an ongoing law enforcement investigation,” Tina Rezash Rogal, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communication at Montgomery County ADAMHS said.

News Center 7 also reached out to the Ohio Department of Commerce in regards to Arnold’s arrest. Monday, Oct. 14, is a state holiday and we are awaiting a response.

We will continue to follow this story.

Correction: A previous version of this story identified Chuck Arnold as a chief fire inspector for the Ohio Department of Commerce, based on information released from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. A spokesperson for the Department of Commerce has since told News Center 7 his correct position with the department is fire safety educator and he does not hold a leadership position within the department.

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