GIRARD — A dozen of the 14 men arrested during Sunday’s human-trafficking operation in Liberty entered not guilty pleas Tuesday in Girard Municipal Court.

One of the men, Brian O’Nora, 57, of Youngstown, is a Major League Baseball umpire, according to national news reports. O’Nora did not make an appearance in court for arraignment Tuesday, but entered a not guilty plea through his attorney, court officials said.

Two men arrested Sunday did not appear for arraignment.

James Lohmier, 38, Boardman, is scheduled to be arraigned today, according to a municipal court official.

William Shaw Sr., 58, of Moyock, N.C., did not appear, but the court official said no warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The sex sting occurred at an undisclosed hotel in Liberty, according to Liberty police Chief Toby Meloro.

“This sends a message that our agency will not tolerate this kind of activity in any hotel or anywhere else in the township,” Meloro said.

Appearing in court and pleading not guilty to misdemeanor charges of soliciting and possessing criminal tools were:

¯ Willie Daniels Jr., 37, Youngstown;

¯ Saad Elamin, 43, Campbell;

¯ Omar Farooq, 37, Hermitage, Pa.;

¯ Thomas Hendricks, 66, Salem;

¯ Ryan Kirkpatrick, 26, Leesburg, Va.;

¯ David Shaffer, 46, Mineral Ridge.

Elamin was also charged with obstruction of justice and resisting arrest. Elamin told his court-appointed attorney John Falgiani that he ran from police because he thought he was being robbed.

Also, pleading not guilty in writing through their attorneys, but not appearing in court were:

¯ Harry Krause, 63, Youngstown;

¯ Matthew Lennington, 28, Cortland;

¯ Nick Mymo, 37, Niles.

¯ Brian Van Divner, 54, New Franklin; and

¯ Johnny Young, 55, Youngstown.

Those who appeared in court Tuesday morning were given personal recognizance bonds and told by Judge Jeffery Adler to not go near any hotel or motel in Liberty for the duration of the court case.

Pre-trial hearings are scheduled for 11 a.m. March 3 in Girard court.

If found guilty, the defendants face a maximum of eight months in the county jail and $1,500 in fines. With his charges, Elamin would face a possible 14 months in jail and $3,000 in total fines.

Liberty police had assistance Sunday from the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Austintown Police Department, Youngstown Police Department, the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.

Attorney General Dave Yost called the sting a “success.” Yost in a news release said these crimes are more prevalent and “closer to home than you think.”

gvogrin@tribtoday.com