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State Briefing

93 caught in trafficking sting

COLUMBUS — A two-day human trafficking sting staged at hotels across central Ohio resulted in nearly 100 arrests. The sting also marked the first time that people trying to buy sex were charged with engaging in prostitution under a new law that took effect Monday. Authorities said 93 people were arrested during the “Operations 614” sting staged Wednesday and Thursday in Columbus and its surrounding suburbs. It was conducted in partnership with federal, state and local law enforcement, and officials said those arrested included a registered sex offender on parole and those seeking sex with juveniles. Besides targeting people seeking out prostitutes, the sting was an effort to help identify human trafficking victims and get them connected to services. Fifty-three victims were identified during the two-day operation.

Attack leaves Columbus cops hurt

COLUMBUS — A suspect’s attack against two Columbus police officers left one officer with a broken jaw and the other with a concussion. Officers Andrew Mott and Samuel Clanin were recovering from their injuries Friday. Body camera footage posted by police shows an assault taking place moments after the two officers responded to a call about a man threatening people with a knife outside Faith Mission, a downtown homeless shelter. The video shows the suspect, Noah Andrews, punch Mott within seconds of him exiting a police van. Andrews then slammed Clanin against a police car. The video then shows Mott responding by tasering Andrews after he falls on the ground.

Ohioan had unloaded rifle

NEW YORK — An Ohio man has been arrested for openly carrying an unloaded, military-style rifle into a Times Square subway station. Officers stopped Saadiq Teague, 18, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, without incident after they spotted him on Friday with the weapon in the mezzanine of the station on West 42nd. He also was carrying ammunition in a bag and a piece of gear resembling a gas mask. There was no sign that Teague was an immediate threat to people in the area.

Lawmakers work to clear $2B

COLUMBUS — More than $2 billion in federal aid to Ohio schools, businesses and renters is nearing final approval at the Ohio Statehouse, where both legislative chambers have now cleared the spending in some form. The Ohio House approved its final piece of the legislation Thursday. Multiple bills in both chambers must next be reconciled and sent to Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature. Ohio’s distributions include $857 million for public and private schools and other educational services; $465 million in emergency rental assistance,and $240 million for child care services and providers, veterans’ homes and fairs. Business relief includes $150 million for a small business grant relief program; $100 million for bars and restaurants; $25 million for the lodging industry; $20 million for indoor entertainment venues to recoup lost revenue; and $10 million for grants to new businesses opened after January 1, 2020. Also included is $173 million for COVID testing and vaccine distribution by the Ohio Department of Health and $8 million for the Adjutant General to support the Ohio National Guard response to the pandemic.

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