SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) -- An Inkster man and a Pennsylvania woman arrested in Southfield over the weekend are suspected of running a sex trafficking operation in Metro Detroit.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday announced the case against 30-year-old Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, and 27-year-old Kylee Lynn Berry, of Connelsville, Pa.
According to the sheriff's office, the investigation began on Saturday, when a 47-year-old Detroit man call police complaining he'd met up with a sex worker in a Southfield hotel room and was robbed by two men.
The Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, with help from the Southfield Police Department’s Tactical Crimes Suppression Unit got search warrants for two rooms at the hotel, and found "suspected cocaine and fentanyl and evidence supporting human trafficking."
Shorter and Berry were arrested at the hotel and arraigned in 46th District Court Monday on 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.
Bond was set at $50,000 each.
“Our collective anti-human trafficking efforts continue to grow with our strong partnerships across the area,” said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, in a statement.
“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. This modern-day scourge must be rooted out and perpetrators held to account. I am proud of our task force’s efforts.”
The sheriff's office said Shorter and Berry both have an extensive criminal history, and are also believed to be connected to crimes in Bloomfield Township, Canton and Romulus.
Anyone who has been a victim of human trafficking, or who knows of someone who is, is encouraged to call the Human Trafficking tip line at 248-858-0411, or your local police.