COLUMBUS (Ken Hines) -- A father and son duo are facing federal human trafficking charges after allegedly forcing victims to engage in acts of prostitution in central Ohio.

Authorities arrested Keith Arrick Jr. in Columbus on Tuesday resulting from an investigation into alleged acts of sex trafficking involving Arrick and his father, Keith Arrick Sr., who in custody in Kentucky on unrelated charges.

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A task force made up of federal, state, and local law enforcement agents claim the Arricks forced one juvenile and multiple women to engage in commercial sex acts in Columbus hotels from September, 2013 to February, 2014.

Arrick Sr. allegedly used violence to ensure that the victims continued to participate in the illegal operation.

"The investigation found that these defendants forced the victims to commit sex acts for money," Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. "They were held against their will and were fearful for their lives."

Arrick Sr. allegedly brought at least one victim to Columbus from Kentucky. The suspects are accused of finding customers via the Internet.

"Members of this task force helped get these victims away from this situation, and now the defendants are facing the consequences of their actions," DeWine said.

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