Prosecutors want to revoke disgraced Portsmouth attorney Mike Mearan’s bail. They asked Judge Patricia Cosgrove to send him back to jail for failing to comply with the conditions set forth in his bond. They cite that Mearan was forbidden to practice law (by Cosgrove) and continued to retain clients.
Cosgrove has agreed but ordered Mearan to house arrest. He may only leave for medical or legal appointments and to observe any religious events.
Mearan, a former Portsmouth City Councilman, faces a long list of charges. The charges say he was behind a human trafficking ring that operated for 15 years.
- One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
- Three counts of trafficking in persons
- Five counts of compelling prostitution
- Nine counts of promoting prostitution
The 74-year-old attorney faces up to 70 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Terms of the $300,000 bond include:
- electronic monitoring
- restrictions of where and when he can go places
- no contact with victims or witnesses in his case.
- not accepting any new clients.
The Ohio State Supreme Court suspended his law license last month. At the time Meran still had dozens of open cases listing him as counsel in Scioto County.
Human Trafficking Ring Operated For Years
While allegations of Mearan compelling women in need of legal representation to serve as prostitutes swirled for years, the first real legal movement in the case happened last spring when in the early hours of March 25th, members of BCI and other Law Enforcement agencies detained him and raided his home office. Then, the BCI began asking anyone who may have been a victim of Mearan’s or have any information about suspicious activities to speak out.
They released, a plea to the public “Anyone with information about Michael Mearan’s suspicious activity can call 1-855-BCI-OHIO (855-224-6446) or file a tip anonymously online.” This ability to file a tip is still available.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Scioto County Prosecutor Shane Tieman announced Mearan’s indictment back on October 23.
