YOUNGSTOWN — A Mineral Ridge man arrested in the fall of 2020 as part of a statewide sex sting received concurrent six-month prison terms Wednesday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court
John M. Harmocy, 38, Ohltown McDonald Road, Mineral Ridge, pleaded guilty to charges of importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. A charge of possessing criminal tools was dropped as part of Harmocy’s plea deal with prosecutors.
Harmocy’s arrest in the fall of 2020 was part of a three-day sweep by Sheriff Jerry Greene’s staff and office, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and a multitude of other agencies that resulted in 14 arrests in the area.
Mahoning County jail records show Harmocy has been in custody since June 24.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost had called it Operation Autumn Hope, and at the time it was believed to be “the largest anti-human trafficking bust” in state history. More than 50 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies collaborated on the sting, which resulted in 177 arrests statewide.
