Eight men were arrested during a multi-agency sting operation in Stark County targeting individuals accused of attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors, police said.
The two-day operation, dubbed Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct, took place Thursday, July 31, and Friday, August 1, and was led by the Jackson Township Police Department and the FBI’s Cleveland Division. Agencies involved included the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, Massillon Law Department, Streetsboro, Toledo, Louisville, Perry and Beachwood Police Departments, and the Stark and Portage County Sheriff’s Offices, according to Jackson Township Police Chief Mark Brink.
The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Stark County Jail on charges of importuning, attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, and possessing criminal tools — all fifth-degree felonies:
Edmund Starr, 38, of Broadview Heights Ryan Strouse, 37, of Massillon Michael Chaffee, 66, of Wadsworth Jacob Bauer, 48, of Massillon
Andres Gallardo, 44, of Cleveland, faces more serious charges including importuning (F-3), attempted rape (F-2), and possessing criminal tools (F-5).
Two additional individuals — Mustafa Cakar, 24, of Pittsburgh, and Alberto Perez, 28, of Canton — were also arrested on the same three fifth-degree felony charges. Authorities determined both were in the U.S. illegally and referred them to the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations for deportation proceedings.
Chief Brink thanked all law enforcement partners for their efforts in making the operation a success.
