Parma man charged after human trafficking sting in Sheffield in May (UPDATED)

This story has been updated with a comment from Joshua Deblasis' attorney. A Cuyahoga County man is facing three felony criminal charges after being caught and armed with a handgun in a human trafficking operation in Lorain County in May. Joshua DeBlasis, 41, of Parma, was indicted Friday on one count each of compelling prostitution, carrying concealed weapons and improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, all felonies. Free on bond, he is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Judge Giovanna Bremke's court. A firearm specification to the prostitution charge could add prison time to any sentence Deblasis receives if convicted, while forfeiture specifications to the weapons charges will require him to surrender the gun to the state if convicted. "We acknowledge the seriousness of the charges and are in the process of receiving and reviewing the matter," defense attorney Karra Salim told The Chronicle-Telegram in an email. "Mr. Deblasis maintains his plea of not guilty and we look forward to working with him on this matter." Human trafficking task force agents operating in Lorain County during mid-May's "Operation Spring Cleaning" arrested 12 men who allegedly were seeking to pay money for sex. The HEAL Human Trafficking Task Force, which is led by the Lorain County Sheriff's Office and included Huron, Erie, Ashland and Lorain county deputies; Amherst, Sheffield, Sheffield Lake and Perkins Township police; and the U.S. Border Patrol agents, led the effort in Lorain County. Deblasis allegedly contacted what he thought was a 17-year-old girl online for sex and offered to pay her $150 for 30 minutes. The "17-year-old girl" was actually an undercover Sheffield police officer, Chief Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Chris Pierre said. He said Deblasis agreed to meet the "girl" at the Starbucks on North Abbe Road in Sheffield at about 8:30 p.m. May 15. Deblasis also allegedly offered to bring condoms and candy, Pierre said. Officers saw Deblasis on a motorcycle in the parking lot of the Pizza Hut just north of Starbucks, where he sent a text message to the undercover officer saying he had arrived. Deblasis was arrested on the spot. A search of his motorcycle saddlebags turned up a loaded Smith & Wesson Shield-model handgun, according to court records. Contact Dave O'Brien at 440-329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.