COLUMBUS, OH — September 9, 2025 — Five people accused of running a violent criminal operation on Columbus’ West Side have been indicted on a combined 64 felony charges, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, and money laundering, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Wednesday.
The indictments follow a months-long investigation by the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, part of Yost’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) and led by the Columbus Division of Police. Investigators launched the probe in January 2025 after receiving multiple tips.
According to the indictment, the group, led by Justin Davis, 40, engaged in human trafficking, drug distribution, and violent tactics to expand its criminal enterprise between November 2024 and November 2025.
The following individuals, all Columbus residents, face charges:
- Justin Davis, 40 — 25 felony counts, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, trafficking in persons, promoting and compelling prostitution, drug trafficking and possession, tampering with evidence, money laundering, and weapons charges.
- Cieara Tesso, 28 — 15 felony counts, including promoting prostitution, drug trafficking and possession, money laundering, tampering with evidence, and possessing weapons under disability.
- Jeffery Willis, 69 — 8 felony counts, including engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, promoting prostitution, drug trafficking and possession, money laundering, and permitting drug abuse.
- Renika Crowley, 42 — 9 felony counts, including trafficking and possession of drugs, tampering with evidence, money laundering, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
- Roselind Fout, 40 — 7 felony counts, including drug trafficking and possession, money laundering, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
“This organization used violence and drugs to trap people in cycles of exploitation,” Yost said in a statement. “These indictments send a clear message: Ohio will not tolerate human trafficking and the criminal networks that profit from it.”
The case will proceed in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Note: An indictment is a formal charge and does not constitute a finding of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
