News briefs: Jury convicts final defendant in human trafficking operation
COLUMBUS – All 11 defendants charged federally in a Scioto County child sex trafficking operation have been convicted.
A federal grand jury originally indicted Larry Dean Porter, 71, of Wheelersburg, and several of his family members and associates in June 2020. Porter exchanged drugs obtained in Columbus and elsewhere for sexual access to the children of drug-addicted mothers.
Porter and nine of the co-defendants have since pleaded guilty to federal charges.
A jury found the final co-defendant, Joshua Aldridge, 38, of South Webster, guilty following a trial in Columbus that concluded last week. Aldridge transported minor victims to Porter’s home and received illegal drugs from Porter in return. He was convicted of conspiring to sex traffic children and conspiring to sex traffic adults by force, which are both crimes punishable by up to life in prison, and sex trafficking children, which is punishable by at least 15 years and up to life in prison.
“The defendants in this case committed heinous acts against some of the most vulnerable people in our society – children,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “The jury properly found Joshua Aldridge guilty of his crimes. Now, each of the defendants will be held accountable for their roles in this atrocious child sex trafficking operation by facing significant time in federal prison. I cannot thank the jury enough for their service.”
Agents with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force began investigating Porter in April 2019 following reports from several sources that Porter was involved in sexually abusing male and female minors with consent of the minors’ parents in exchange for illegal drugs from Porter.
Porter was arrested in March 2020 on local charges during a human trafficking sting operation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Porter pleaded guilty on Aug. 10 to conspiring to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, child sex trafficking, and participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy. Porter’s plea agreement includes a sentencing range of a minimum of 15 years and up to 55 years in prison.
The court will set future sentencing dates for each of the defendants and the sentences imposed will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
New Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group in Circleville Starts in September
COLUMBUS — The Alzheimer's Association Central Ohio Chapter announces a new in-person caregiver support group that will meet on the second Friday of every month in Circleville beginning Sept. 9.
The support group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of each month in the Crites-Hannan A Meeting Room at Pickaway County Library, located at 1160 N. Court St. in Circleville. The November 2022 meeting will be held on the third Friday, Nov. 18, in observance of Veterans Day.
“Our caregiver support groups provide a safe, confidential space to share the joys and trials of the Alzheimer's or other dementia journey,” said Pam Myers, Alzheimer's Association Central Ohio Chapter program director. “In our groups, you will find compassionate, well-trained facilitators who guide the sharing and support.”
For more information or questions about support groups, or to register for this group, call the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org/centralohio/helping_you/support.
Caregiver support groups provide a consistent, caring place for discussion of the challenges of caregiving. Group members share experiences, tips and information, and offer support in a setting facilitated by trained volunteers. The groups offer a place to exchange practical information on the challenges surrounding Alzheimer's disease, as well as possible solutions and coping mechanisms. They also offer information about community resources.
“Alzheimer's and other dementias can be so isolating for caregivers. Talking with another caregiver on the journey can render tips and strategies, or just a much-needed listening ear,” Myers said. “Circleville and the surrounding communities in Pickaway County have been asking for a caregiver support group, and we are glad to be able to offer one.”
Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease that kills nerve cells and tissues in the brain, affecting an individual's ability to remember, think and plan. It is estimated that Alzheimer's and dementia deaths have increased 16 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alzheimer's disease is currently ranked as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. But according to the National Institute on Aging, recent estimates indicate Alzheimer's disease may rank third, just behind heart disease and cancer, as a cause of death for older people.
There were 421,000 caregivers caring for 220,000 Ohioans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer's disease in 2021, according to the Alzheimer's Association “2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.” Caregivers provided 614 million hours of unpaid care.
Those concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimer's Association Central Ohio Chapter office at 614-457-6003 to schedule a care consultation and be connected to local resources that can help.
Meetings
The Paint Township (Ross County) Board of Trustees regularly scheduled monthly meeting for Monday, Sept. 19 will be changed to Monday, Sept. 12. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Paint Township Hall, 9738 State Route 41 N, Bainbridge. This is a one-time schedule change. Meetings will resume in October 2022 at the regularly scheduled day and time, the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Paint Township Hall.
Self-employment: From Dream to Reality small business classes being offered
The Workforce & Business Development Program (W&B) at Community Action Committee of Pike County (CAC) will be offering classes providing the information needed for starting your own business. The “Self-Employment: From Dream to Reality” class sessions will be held on Tuesday and Thursday each week starting Sept. 20 and ending on Oct. 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the OhioMeansJobs Career Center (941 Market Street in Piketon).
The sessions in this class will provide the specific information required to start or expand a business with clear planning, organizing, and utilizing the available resources. The W&B Program is pleased to hold this class in conjunction with the OSU Small Business Development Center, along with the organization’s lead instructors and guest speakers, in which information will be presented about small business lending and loan options, advertising and marketing the business, legal compliances, accounting and financial management, and resources available for support while building your small business.
“With the increase of people who are looking to start their own small business this class provides the clear path of taking the dream to reality by going in-depth on each of the stages of successfully planning the business,” stated Lisa Pfeifer, Workforce & Business Program Director and lead instructor. “During this series of classes, aspiring entrepreneurs will learn how to plan and build their small business dreams.”
The fee for the class series is $15 per person to cover the costs of materials provided. Please call Erica Jones at (740) 289 – 2371 or email her at ejones@pikecac.org to register. This class is limited to a specific number of participants.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: News briefs: Jury convicts final defendant in human trafficking operation
