WARREN (WWJ) – A Warren man has been ordered to trial on human trafficking and sexual assault charges for allegedly forcing a teenage runaway into commercial sex activity.
James Earl Madison-Cranford, charged with nine felonies including human trafficking a minor for commercial activity, was bound over for trial Monday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Tuesday.
Madison-Cranford is accused of forcing her to have sex with other adults and keeping the money she earned for himself, according to Nessel’s office.
Authorities have not released the girl’s age or hometown, and it is not exactly clear when and where the alleged crimes took place.
Madison-Cranford allegedly set up an online account offering for-sale sex with the minor, set up appointments between her and other adults, facilitated logistics for the appointments including her travel, and took the money paid to her.
Nessel’s office also alleges Madison-Cranford was “physically abusive towards the victim” and when she talked about leaving him, he strangled her and held a knife to her neck, leaving bruises on her face and neck.
Madison-Cranford is being charged as a habitual third offender with the following felonies:
• Human trafficking a minor for commercial activity, a 20-year felony
• Accepting earnings from prostitution, a 20-year felony
• Transporting a person for prostitution, a 20-year felony
• Three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony
• Assault by strangulation, a 10-year felony
• Felonious assault, a four-year felony
• Conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony.
This case was initially investigated by the FBI’s Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes (SEMTEC) Task Force.
“Human trafficking is a uniquely horrific offense, and its perpetrators often prey upon the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Nessel. “I am thankful for our continued partnership with the FBI’s SEMTEC Task Force, and my Department will continue to use the full resources of the law and the State to uproot the scourge of human trafficking from our communities.”
Madison-Cranford’s preliminary exam was also held Monday, but no further court dates have been scheduled yet.
His prior criminal history includes convictions of larceny in a building and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder or by strangulation, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Information on Nessel's Human Trafficking Initiative and the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission can be found on the Department of Attorney General's website.
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