Three people, two men and one woman, have been arrested and charged in Battle Creek, MI for crimes related to human trafficking. According to police in Calhoun County, these are not the only people involved in this case – there are two others who are in custody but have not yet been charged, with possibly more to come.
Not many details have been released yet to the public about this particular case, but police have said that three victims were being trafficked out of hotels in the Battle Creek / Kalamazoo area. As of now, the three women who were being sold as prostitutes in local hotels are safe, but law enforcement has shared no other information about them.
The three people arrested thus far are 18-year-old Anna Armstrong; 20-year-old Michael Nobel II; and 26-year-old James Smith. All three have been charged with Trafficking enterprise involving kidnapping or criminal sexual conduct, which is a federal felony charge. In addition, Smith has also been charged with two counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, which is also a capital felony in the state of Michigan.
According to Sgt. Jeff Case of the Battle Creek Police Department who is involved in the investigation, the issue came to light when a parolee shared information with their parole officer. Police were then able to determine that the victims were being advertised as being available for sex in motels.
The Battle Creek Police Department worked the case in conjunction with the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. It is expected that the three defendants, and any others who may be charged at a later date, will be prosecuted in a federal court.
The law enforcement agencies involved would also like to assure the public that, with regards to this particular case, no one is in danger of being stolen off the street and sold into slavery. Apparently the accused and the victims were all known to each other before the trafficking took place. “These were relationships and bad choices and a bad environment and the use of drugs and alcohol.” said Sgt Case.
Whether the charges are brought by the state of Michigan or by the federal government, human trafficking is an extremely serious crime and would likely result in lengthy prison sentences. If you or a loved one have been accused of forcing another person against their will to engage in prostitution or forced labor, contact us immediately. Our skilled defense attorneys can help you.