December 9, 2020

Umpire Brian O'Nora Arrested For Solicitation In Sex Trafficking Operation Sting

Yet another reason for robot umps.

Brian O'Nora, a major league umpire since 1999, was one of 14 men arrested last weekend in a sex trafficking operation, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

O'Nora was arrested after arriving at an "area hotel to pay for sex". He was charged with soliciting (a third-degree misdemeanor) and possessing criminal tools* (a first-degree misdemeanor). 

The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force stated: "The operation was in response to the increased amount of sex trafficking in the region and served as a warning to the men who are funding these criminal enterprises that prey on the trafficking victims, many of [whom] are children."

Deadspin: "MLB Ump Brian O'Nora is even worse at sex solicitation than calling balls and strikes"

*: Craig Calcaterra cites Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.24 which defines "criminal tool" as "any substance, device, instrument, or article" that an alleged offender intended to use for a criminal purpose. It might mean O'Nora had a package of condoms in his pocket. Calcaterra calls it a "bullshit charge", something prosecutors use "to strengthen otherwise weak cases and to give them something to plea bargain with".

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