Franklin Thorne, Jr.

AUSTINTOWN — The owner of the Frola Motel outside Lisbon was arrested here Wednesday in a sex sting.

According to the Journal’s news partner, WKBN First News, the 48-year-old Columbiana County man believed that he was meeting a 12-year-old boy for sex but instead was met by an undercover officer.

Franklin Thorne, Jr., 48, is charged with rape, importuning, endangering children, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles and compelling prostitution, WKBN reported.

Thorne was arrested as part of an investigation lasting several months by the Human Trafficking Task Force. Investigators said they had online conversations with Thorne, posing as the young boy, prior to his arrest.

He had more than $71,000 in cash when he was arrested, according to the Mahoning County sheriff’s office.

Thorne’s bond was set at $150,000 during his arraignment Wednesday. His preliminary hearing is May 9.