Eleven men are facing criminal charges in Mahoning County for the first time, after an undercover child sex sting operation in August. 

The Mahoning County Grand Jury handed up fresh charges against eleven suspects, including a Youngstown teacher, who were rounded up earlier this year. 

All of the men were accused of attempting to have sexual contact with deputies posing as underage children. The attorney general's release says the suspects all allegedly traveled to a vacant home in Mahoning County with the intent to engage in a sexual encounter with a minor. 

One suspect, 24-year-old James Norkus, was identified as an elementary teacher at Kirkmere. Norkus has since been placed on unpaid administrative leave.

The Grand Jury leveled the following charges against the suspects: 

Robert Canann, 50, of Niles

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Justin Coyne, 21, of Cleveland

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools
  • Obstructing Official Business

Adam Dziedzic, 38, of New Castle, Pa.

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Brandon Gorcheff, 26, North Lima

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Thomas Maylone Jr., 29, East Liverpool

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Kevin McNally, 23, Boardman

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Alexander Morlan, 21, New Middletown

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

James Norkus, 24, of Salem

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Andrew Nuzzi, 22, Girard

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools
  • Disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile

Peter Petroff Jr., 47, Boardman

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools

Edward Webker, 41, Andover

  • Attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor
  • Importuning
  • Possession of Criminal Tools
  • Corrupting another with drugs
  • Disseminating matter harmful to a juvenile


Twelve suspects were originally rounded up as part of the investigation, however, one of the men, 25-year-old Naji Alsagoo, was released from jail on bond, and according to prosecutors fled to Saudi Arabia. 

All of the suspects were arrested in a three-day sting as part of an investigation led by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, which is part of Ohio Attorney General DeWine's Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.

The Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force is led by the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office and includes representatives from the Austintown Police Department, Howland Township Police Department, Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ohio Investigative Unit, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Warren Police Department.

The Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force also played a large role in conducting the investigation.