YOUNGSTOWN — Richard E. Kozak, 31, of Medford Avenue, who is alleged to have participated in sexually explicit conversations with a juvenile during work hours as a corrections officer at the Northeast Ohio Correctional Center, was indicted this week on charges of importuning, compelling prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

Kozak was charged in January after an investigation by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, which is organized under the Ohio Attorney General’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission. The arrest was made as part of the task force’s mission to target the demand side of human trafficking, authorities said.

Kozak was arrested after an investigation revealed evidence of online crimes against children. Kozak is accused of participating in sexually explicit conversations with a juvenile. Authorities said Kozak indicated his desire to sexually assault a 15-year-old, according to a news release from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

Detectives discovered that Kozak was employed as a corrections officer at the prison and had engaged in conversations during work hours. CoreCivic, the company that operates the facility, cooperated with the investigation.

The task force is led by the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and includes resources from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, New Waterford Police Department, Cortland Police Department, Austintown Police Department, Youngstown Police Department, Ohio Investigative Unit and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

If convicted, Kozak could get several years in prison.

Others indicted are:

• Ashton T. Ragster, 35, Mahoning County jail, domestic violence and resisting arrest;

• Kyle A. Campbell, 37, Mahoning County jail, domestic violence and aggravated menacing;

• Eric M. Banks, 31, East Avondale Avenue, violating a protection order;

• Vincenzo N. Angelilli, 48, Mahoning County jail, menacing by stalking, violating a protection order and telecommunications harassment;

• Dontreal M. Beach, 21, Carlotta Drive, having weapons while not allowed and improperly handing firearms in a motor vehicle;

• Raymond J. Floyd, 42, Shields Road, Boardman, two counts of passing bad checks, two counts of forgery and two counts of receiving stolen property;

• Jaylen Jackson, 18, Mahoning County jail, failure to comply with the order of a police officer and obstructing official business;

• Andrew J. Whitlow, 36, Norwood Avenue, having weapons while not allowed, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and drug possession with a firearm specification and specification of forfeiture of money in a drug case;

• Tequan D. Gilford, 28, Mahoning County jail, tampering with evidence and fentanyl-related compound possession with a specification of forfeiture of money in a drug case;

• Melvin D Johnson III, 28, Oregon Avenue, aggravated drug possession and fentanyl-related compound possession, both with a specification of forfeiture;

• Shawn M. Cain, 20, Coitsville Road, Campbell, aggravated drug possession and fentanyl-related compound possession, both with a specification of forfeiture;

• Mohamand T. Harris, 24, Glacier Avenue, escape, falsification and criminal damaging or endangering;

• Bradley R. Etto, 35, West Texas Avenue, Sebring, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning and sexual imposition;

• Darolyn. L. Morgan, 32, South Schenley Avenue, cocaine possession;

• Donna J. Partlow, 62, Karago Avenue, AKA Donna J. Mazzarini, cocaine possession and illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia;

• Brandon E. Norman, 39, Third Street SW, Warren, cocaine possession and two counts of aggravated drug possession, all with specifications of forfeiture;

• Luis D. Myrtle, 54, Windsor Road, two counts of tampering with records;

• Eddie L. Bandy, 57, West Hylda Avenue, failure to provide change of address and failure to verify address;

• Sean L. Green, 50, West Ravenwood Avenue Avenue, escape;

• Robert E. Hart, 79, Westchester Drive, Austintown, 20 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor.