Michigan Man Charged After Police Locate Missing Teen In Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The West Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force says it located a missing Chicago-area teen in Tuscaloosa on Thursday, after hotel employees contacted the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

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A Michigan man was also arrested on charges of human trafficking and second-degree possession of marijuana in connection to the investigation.

“The hotel staff took thoughtful action to check on the welfare of their guest without regard to their own safety,” said Task Force commander Capt. Phil Simpson.

Simpson said on Thursday at 12:40 p.m., TPD received a report from a Tuscaloosa hotel from an employee requesting a welfare check on a hotel guest.

The Task Force praised the vigilance and quick thinking of staff member Desiree Garrette, who noticed suspicious details and recognized possible indicators of sex trafficking.

The name of the hotel has not been released, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

"Desiree signaled coworker Meredith Griffin, and they made mental notes they reported to supervisors Brittany Turk and Tammy Williams," Simpson said. "Together, the hotel staff took steps to verify the identity of the guest and check on her welfare before calling."

The guest reportedly tried to flee when TPD patrol officers arrived on the scene, but was apprehended nearby.

Task Force investigators were then able to identify the hotel guest as a 17-year-old recently reported missing from Chicago.

Following this revelation, Michigan resident Geremy Lemel Glass, 33, was charged with first-degree human trafficking and second-degree possession of marijuana.

Glass is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail with no bond set on the trafficking charge and bond set at $6,000 for the marijuana charge.

The Task Force said the missing teen will be transported home to Chicago.

Simpson also said additional arrests are expected in this case.

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