A month-long investigation into a prostitution ring in Belmont County has resulted in the arrest of 14 people.

Eleven women and three men were arrested for prostitution-related charges stemming from concerns Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas has with associated crimes dealing with drug abuse and violence.

“My detectives and the other police departments in the county are working very hard,” Lucas said. “It is an ongoing investigation and we are not stopping. … If there is a problem we are going to target it and we are going to go after it.”

Undercover authorities with the Belmont County’s Major Crimes Task Force uncovered the alleged prostitution operation.

“This is just the beginning of it,” Lucas said.

The three men, David Carr, Antonio Deshazo and William Butcher are facing various criminal charges ranging from allowing a residence to be used for sex for hire, promoting prostitution, to soliciting another for sexual activity in connection with the sting.

“Prostitution is human trafficking,” Lucas said. “It is the rampant increase in prostitution that has authorities concerned. Not only because of the national issue of human trafficking, but also because of prostitution’s associated crimes like drug abuse and violence.

“That is why we are all working together, the local police departments, the major crime unit, and my detectives.

And we are going to be working hard at it.”

Lucas said residents of Belmont County are the eyes and ears for his office and tips from residents are what helps them to establish these investigations to get alleged offenders off the streets. The sheriff said the investigations have been centered mainly around a number of hotels and motels in the county.