(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Nine suspected members of a West Columbus human trafficking ring have been charged with a total of 42 felony counts, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson and Franklin County Prosecutor Shayla D. Favour, announced today.
The defendants are accused of using narcotics to coerce women into commercial sex work at the Econo Lodge on North Wilson Road. The group then allegedly laundered the proceeds through Valentine Floral on Eakin Road. According to the indictment, the alleged crimes occurred between April 2025 and January 2026.
The charges stem from an investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, which operates under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission and is part of Wilson’s office.
The indictment filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court names the following defendants:
- Marcus Dwayne Gant37, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- Three cases of human trafficking (F1)
- Three cases of forced prostitution (F3)
- Three counts of promoting prostitution (F3)
- One count of Tampering with Evidence (F3)
- Two counts of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- Two counts of possession of a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- A case of serious drug trafficking (F2)
- One count of aggravated drug possession (F2)
- A case of identity fraud (F3)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Magon Rae Smith46, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- One count of obstruction of justice (F3)
- One count of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Raymond Curtis Valentine55, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- One count of Tampering with Evidence (F3)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- John Wesley Gibson II42, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- One count of aggravated drug possession (F5)
- One count of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F2)
- One count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F2)
- One count of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F2)
- One count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F2)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Malik Dada Jackson28, from Grove City:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- A cocaine trafficking charge (F1)
- One count of cocaine possession (F1)
- One count of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F3)
- One count of possession of a fentanyl-related compound (F4)
- A case of serious drug trafficking (F2)
- One count of aggravated drug possession (F3)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Jeremy Ryan Lindsey40, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- One count of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- One count of possession of a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Mackenzie Leighann Fitzpatrick21, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- Two counts of trafficking a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- Two counts of possession of a fentanyl-related compound (F1)
- A case of serious drug trafficking (F2)
- One count of aggravated drug possession (F2)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Aimee Lianne Fabin43, by Columbus:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- Three counts of promoting prostitution (F4)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
- Kayla Dejon Wheeler35, by Hilliard:
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
- A case of serious drug trafficking (F2)
- One count of aggravated drug possession (F2)
- One count of Tampering with Evidence (F3)
- One count of illegal transportation of drugs on the premises of a specified government facility (F3)
- One count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound (F3)
- A case of money laundering (F3)
Many indictments contain additional provisions for property forfeiture. Multiple defendants are named in several counts, with the individual counts totaling 65 crimes. All defendants are in custody.
The Franklin County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The office took separate legal action against the Econo Lodge on North Wilson Road earlier this year.
Charges are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of representatives from the Columbus Division of Police, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Powell Police Department, the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office, the Salvation Army and Southeast Healthcare. Dublin Police assisted in the investigation.
How to report suspected human trafficking in Ohio:
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127
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https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/July-2026/Nine-Indicted-in-Central-Ohio-Human-Trafficking-In
