YOUNGSTOWN, AKRON — Albert Aiad-Toss, 53, from Canfield, was sentenced today by U.S District Court Judge Pamela A. Barker to 22 years of imprisonment, lifetime supervised release, a $50,000 fine, and a special assessment of $40,800. Acting U.S Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced this in a press release.
Aiad-Toss, a former physician, had previously pleaded guilty to seven-counted sex trafficking of minors and a count of child exploitation. This is the biggest juvenile sex trafficking prosecution in the Youngstown area to date.
“Juvenile sex traffickers like Aiad-Toss prey upon our most important resource – our children,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan. “Through the collaborative efforts of the Ashland Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office and our office, law enforcement has once again demonstrated our unwavering commitment to holding traffickers accountable and protecting our children. The young victims in this case bravely and courageously shared their experiences and certainly prevented other young girls from being similarly victimized.”
Aiad-Toss used the online application ‘Snapchat’ to attract, recruit and patronize six minor female victims between the ages of 12 to 15 from June 1 to June 29, 2019. He engaged in sexual conduct with the victims by providing them with money, alcohol, new clothes, or valuables.
“The sentence today is the culmination of months of hard work by multiple law enforcement agencies to bring this offender to justice,” said Christopher Tunnell, Ashland County Prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. “We are sending a unified message to anyone perpetrating crimes against our children that no matter who you are, we will bring every resource at our disposal to bear upon you, and you will be made to answer for your crimes.”
A surveillance video obtained by investigators shows Aiad-Toss inside a hotel with three victims on June 15, 2019. An image taken on June 17, 2019, also showed Aiad-Toss in a vehicle with three juvenile victims.
“The abuse of a child is both despicable and incomprehensible,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. “Aiad-Toss, using his position of trust, admitted to engaging in sexual acts with minors. As a result, Aiad-Toss will be serving a significant and just sentence in federal prison. Law enforcement will continue our unceasing efforts to protect our most precious resource, our children.”