WARREN (WWJ) A Warren man was arraigned on charges of allegedly running a human trafficking ring from jail.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said Ryan Wafford, 33, is charged with two counts of human trafficking and one count of prostitution/accepting earnings. An Oakland County SWAT team arrested him at his home on Friday, August 8, with the help of Warren Police.
Authorities said one of his alleged victims and her child were at the home at the time of the arrest. He also had firearms inside his house, according to sheriff's officials.
The arrest came after an Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force investigation.
According to authorities, he operated the ring from Oakland County Jail while there for a previous parole violation. He allegedly used jail communications devices such as phones, tablets and video calls to send "dozens" of messages consistent with human trafficking/sex labor activities.
Authorities told WWJ Wafford has a "lengthy criminal history" that dates back to 2012. It includes convictions for delivery and manufacturing a controlled substance, felony retail fraud, and carrying a concealed weapon.
He was arraigned in 52-1 District Court in Novi. The judge gave him a $250,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.