LISBON, Ohio (WKBN) — An Indianapolis man picked up in an undercover sex sting in Salem entered a plea in his case and was sentenced on Monday.
Travis Gillespie, 59, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools, according to court records.
Court records state that Gillespie was sentenced to one year of non-reporting probation and to perform 20 hours of community service, as well as take an online prostitution prevention court. The $180 in cash seized by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force would be forfeited, and Gillespie’s jail sentence was suspended.
Gillespie was one of four people taken into custody during a sting operation in August. Authorities had been targeting those who were attempting to buy sex online.
Reports from the Task Force state that Gillespie arrived in his employer’s semi-truck and that he had previously been convicted of sex crimes out of Wisconsin in 2004.
According to court records, charges are still pending against Cara Crabtree, of Steubenville; and Brian Digman, of Dillonvale. Court records state that they failed to appear for their court hearings and that warrants were issued.
Prosecutors declined to pursue charges against Jennifer Lancaster who had faced a promoting prostitution charge, according to court records.
Michael Reiner and Jonathan Renforth contributed to this report.
