Oakland County, MI – Two suspects are facing multiple felony charges after authorities say they were operating a human trafficking enterprise out of a Southfield hotel.
Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, 30, of Inkster, and Kylee Lynn Berry, 27, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, were arraigned Monday in 46th District Court in Southfield. Each is charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise, a 15-year felony, and accepting earnings of prostitution, a 20-year felony. Berry is also charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, 30, of Inkster
- Accepting Earnings of Prostitution – 20-year felony
- Operating a Human Trafficking Enterprise – 15-year felony
Kylee Lynn Berry, 27, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania
- Accepting Earnings of Prostitution – 20-year felony
- Operating a Human Trafficking Enterprise – 15-year felony
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
Both are being held on $50,000 bond.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the arrests stem from an incident Saturday at a Southfield hotel after a 47-year-old Detroit man contacted police claiming he had been robbed by two men while inside a hotel room. Authorities said the man had gone to the hotel earlier that morning to meet with a sex worker.
The Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, working alongside the Southfield Police Department Tactical Crimes Suppression Unit, launched an investigation into possible human trafficking. Investigators obtained search warrants for two hotel rooms.
During the search, authorities reported finding suspected cocaine and fentanyl, along with evidence supporting human trafficking allegations.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard credited inter-agency cooperation for the arrests.
“Our collective anti-human trafficking efforts continue to grow with our strong partnerships across the area,” Bouchard said. “This modern-day scourge must be rooted out and perpetrators held to account.”
Shorter and Berry were arrested at the hotel. Investigators are now seeking a third man wanted in connection with the case.
Authorities say both defendants have extensive criminal histories and are believed to be connected to additional crimes in Bloomfield Township, Canton and Romulus.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim of human trafficking, or who has information about potential trafficking activity, is urged to contact the Human Trafficking tip line at 248-858-0411 or their local police department.
Shorter and Berry are both presumed unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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