CLEVELAND (OH)
WOIO - CBS 19 [Cleveland OH]
March 26, 2026
By Julia Thyret
A 77-year-old Cleveland priest arrested by the HEAL Human Trafficking Task Force last September, pleaded guilty in Avon Lake Municipal Court Wednesday.
Dean Dimon pleaded guilty to an amended charge and was given a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
The judge also ordered Dimon to complete a required course in Columbus. His case will be reviewed on June 24.
Dimon, of Avon, is a priest with the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland.
On Sept. 22, 2025, Dimon was one of 135 people arrested during “Operation Next Door,” a statewide human trafficking operation conducted by more than 100 law enforcement agencies.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said the arrests took place in urban centers, suburban communities, and rural areas throughout the state.
A recap of Operation Next Door:
- 32 people were arrested on felony charges including promoting prostitution, compelling prostitution, seeking sex with a minor, and drug possession and/or trafficking.
- 103 “johns” seeking to buy sex were arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution or solicitation.
- 67 human trafficking survivors were referred by law enforcement to health-care and social-services organizations.
- Nine search warrants were executed by law enforcement. These included raids on massage parlors in Toledo, the Cleveland area, and the Akron area.
- More than $62,000 was seized along with evidence for long-term investigations.