Staff photo / Ed Runyan Ronald D. Hellman Jr., stands with his attorney, David Betras, center and Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer McLaughlin in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Wednesday as he pleaded guilty to nine charges and was sentenced to15 years in prison on human trafficking, compelling prostitution and sexual battery involving eight female victims.

YOUNGSTOWN — Ronald D. Hellman Jr., 52, of Irma Drive, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to nine charges in a sex-trafficking ring that numbered 104 charges involving five people, including Hellman’s mother.

Investigators say Hellman forced multiple females — adults and minors — to engage in sexual conduct with himself, co-defendant Charles D. Krusac and others.

Hellman on Wednesday decided against going to trial Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, which prevented eight victims from having to testify, said Jennifer McLaughlin, assistant county prosecutor.

Hellman faced 22 of the 104 charges, but prosecutors dismissed 13 of them Wednesday in exchange for guilty pleas to three counts of human trafficking, four counts of promoting prostitution and two of sexual battery.

He was indicted on six counts of rape, but all of the rape charges were either dismissed or amended to sexual battery. One of the sexual battery charges alleged he engaged in sex with a female between 2013 and 2016, when she was between the ages of 15 and 18. Another count alleged something similar involving a female in 2009 when she was 50.

Hellman did not speak before Judge Anthony Donofrio approved the plea agreement, but two of his victims did.

“I’m here on behalf of all of the girls,” the woman said. “There has been a lot of pain for me and all of the other girls. I just hope he gets right with God.”

Another victim said she thought Hellman’s prison sentence was “reasonable,” saying he “caused a lot of pain and suffering.”

Co-defendant Krusac, 78, was indicted on 74 charges, including rape, human trafficking and more than 40 counts associated with pornography and prostution.

But Krusac committed suicide at his home on Lou Ida Boulevard in Austintown shortly after indictments were unsealed in October 2018. In addition to Krusac, charges were filed against Hellman; Hellman’s mother Elaine Hellman, 72, of Manhattan Avenue; James Jaster, 74, of South Avenue in Boardman; and Lori Jackson, 44, of Randolph Street in Warren.

The ring operated out of a home in Austintown as long as 15 years, investigators said, adding that they identified scores of females from videotapes confiscated while serving a warrant at Krusac’s home.

The investigation began in July 2018 after authorities received a tip alleging that Krusac was creating child pornography involving at least one area juvenile.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s office worked with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to investigate.

Sheriff Jerry Greene said previously the biggest reason for carrying out the operation was the “victimization of this, the people that are being fed drugs, being compelled by the addiction and the heroin. The ones that were underage, which there were numerous females that were underage or under the age of consent.”

Jaster cooperated with investigators and can now be sentenced on his three charges. Jackson’s charges of human trafficking and compelling prostitution are still pending.

Hellman’s mother used her position as a Youngstown police dispatcher to help her son and hinder the investigation by helping him avoid avoid contact with law enforcement. She was dismissed from her job.

At one point during the hearing while Hellman was pleading guilty, he changed his mind, saying “I want to take it to trial.”

Deputies accompanied Hellman and his attorney, David Betras, into a different room for a while. Then they returned, and Hellman completed his guilty pleas and sentencing.