Michigan man, Pennsylvania woman charged in Metro Detroit trafficking scheme
Two people are facing charges for allegedly running a human trafficking operation in Southfield and police say they may be linked to other crimes in the Metro Detroit area.
Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, 30, of Inkster, Michigan, and 27-year-old Kylee Lynn Berry, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, were arraigned on Monday.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, each faces charges of operating a human trafficking enterprise, a 15-year felony, and accepting earnings of prostitution, a 20-year felony. Berry was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.
They are each being held on a $50,000 bond after their arraignment in 46th District Court in Southfield.
"Our collective anti-human trafficking efforts continue to grow with our strong partnerships across the area," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "In this case, Southfield police were integral in their efforts, communication and teamwork. With this combined focus, people were identified and arrested on charges of human trafficking."
The arrests took place Saturday at a hotel in Southfield after a 47-year-old Detroit man contacted Southfield police, reporting that he had been robbed by two men while in a hotel room. Authorities said the Detroit man had gone to the hotel to meet Berry, a sex worker.
According to the Southfield police, the incident took place at the Radisson Hotel on Telegraph Road.
"A gun was implied; they robbed him of $400 and all three exited the room together," said Oakland County Undersheriff Tim Willis.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, with the assistance of the Southfield Police Department's Tactical Crimes Suppression Unit, obtained search warrants for two rooms at the hotel. Investigators found suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with evidence supporting human trafficking, the sheriff's office said.
Shorter and Berry were arrested at the hotel. Willis says investigators have reason to believe the incident has ties to other states.
"We know for a fact it is. We get what we call travelers all the time coming into Oakland County," Willis said.
Authorities say these two suspects each have an extensive criminal history and are believed to be connected to crimes in Bloomfield Township, Canton and Romulus.
Willis is urging the public to know how to spot signs of human trafficking.
"Human trafficking isn't just sex work. It's any type of work that you're using drugs or coercion. It's not uncommon for us to find that this is not just simply in Southfield. Oakland County, Michigan, the region, the country, the world, really," he said.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office tells CBS News Detroit that a third man connected to the case was also arrested.
If you have been a victim of human trafficking or know of someone who is, you are encouraged to call the Oakland County Human Trafficking tip line at 248-858-0411 or your local police.
