Five arrested in multi-agency human trafficking sting in Bluffton
The Icon has learned of arrests made on Dec. 6 involving an undercover investigation of human trafficking apparently in the Hancock County portion of Bluffton.
The news sources of this story include The Courier, The Lima News and WTOL TV, Toledo. None of those news outlets identified a specific location of the alleged sting.
The sources reference the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, which conducted the operation with the Hancock METRICH-Criminal Task Force and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the reports five suspects were arrested on Dec. 6 by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office in the Village of Bluffton. Those suspects are to appear in Findlay Municipal Court.
According to each of the news sources, those arrested are: Ronald Burkholder, 51, Rawson, charged with soliciting; Robin Hopson, 21, Lima, charged with prostitution; Siegfried Fredrick Sanders, 63, Clayton, N.C., charged with soliciting; Seth Risner, 20, Lima, charged with soliciting and Anthony Fontenot, 47, Mamou, La., charged with soliciting.
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Royal riches: Gout
- October 8 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Has Bluffton made a birder out of you?
- BPL Afterschool activity: Curious Kids Club
- Book and pizza tasting at Bluffton Public Library
- Final 50 for 250 performance at BPL
- Walking through the Suter Corn Maze
- Resident feedback sought for Regional Transportation Plan
- Bluffton University honors three for service, achievement and leadership
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, Friday, Oct. 9
- Fire extinguished at SRK Industries, plant resumed operation same day
- Bluffton girls tie Grove in NWC showdown
- Pirate volleyball falls to powerhouse Patriots
- BHS GOAT: Latin teacher Margaret Weaver
- Library patrons invited to showcase their collections or causes
- September 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district
Monday, October 5, 2026
Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Bluffton Fire Dept. extricates passenger following I-75 crash
- Crumrine leads October 8 Watercolor Workshop
- MCHO opportunities to trick or treat, donate candy
- ALA Banned Books Week
- Pirate boys soccer blanked by Celina
- Hancock Public Health confirms measles case in Findlay
- Timeline for October 10 Dillinger robbery reenactment and motorcycle show