(WWJ) A Dearborn man is facing more charges in connection with the case of a woman whose body was found in Washtenaw County a year ago.
The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office filed the new charge of transporting a person for purposes of prostitution and human trafficking against 57-year old Fareed Hajjar.
He was sentenced in Washtenaw County in March to community service and probation after pleading guilty to disinterment and mutilation of a body in the case of Suzan Barbosa-Ferreira, a 42-year-old tourist from Brazil.
According to the victim's sister, Renata Santana, Barbosa-Ferreira had been traveling in the U.S. — visiting parts of North Carolina and Michigan — and was reported missing days before her body was found in a field in June, 2024.
Police said a couple was walking along a dirt road in the 7700 block of Earhart Rd., between 6 and 5 Mile roads, when they discovered Barbosa-Ferreira's body in a ditch and called 911.
The prosecutor's office says Hajjar, who has denied killing her, took Barbosa-Ferreira from a Novi hotel to his home to have sex for money.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy said, in a news release: “I hope that these charges are a wakeup call to those who choose to commit crimes like the ones that we have charged today. We have not forgotten Ms. Ferreira."
It's still unclear how she died, as the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner could not determine a cause of death, according to the WCPO.
Anyone with information about this case can call the Dearborn PD at 313-943-2132 or the Northfield Township PD at 734-449-9911. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-Speak Up (800-773-2587).
There's a GoFundMe to raise money to send Barbosa-Ferreira's home to Brazil for burial. Those who wish to help can make a donation at this link.