Authorities Bust Alleged Oakland, Macomb Sex Trafficking Ring

METRO DETROIT, MI — A 24-year-old Bronx, New York, man has been charged with human trafficking and multiple other felonies after investigators accused him of using his escort service as a front for prostitution in Oakland and Macomb counties, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Wednesday.

Jonathan Colon, 24, was arrested Tuesday after a sweeping investigation into his escort service conducted by federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. He’s accused of setting up commercial sex dates with at least two women online, Schuette said in a news release. Investigators allege the women stayed in Detroit area motels with Colon, who forced them to turn over the money in exchange for highly addictive drugs.

He is being held on an $800,000 cash/personal recognizance bond after his arraignment Tuesday before Madison Heights 3rd District Court Magistrate Kimberly Wilson in Madison Heights.

He is charge with multiple felonies:

• Two counts of forced labor/human trafficking (10-year felony)
• One count of prostitution/pandering (20-year felony)
• Two counts of prostitution/accepting earnings (20-year felony)
• One count of conducting criminal enterprises (Felony - 20 years)
• Habitual offender – second offense notice

The charges result from an investigation into multiple incidents of sex trafficking conducted by Oakland and Macomb county police agencies, coordinated through the Roseville Police Department and the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force, a joint operation between the Michigan State Police and FBI, and the Michigan Joint Anti-Trafficking Task Force.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery and happens in Michigan every day,” Schuette said, adding that ongoing, multi-agency investigations should send a warning to pimps and others involved in human trafficking: “Your time is up, we will find you and we will put an end to your terrible crimes against those who you hurt.”

The Human Trafficking Unit in the criminal division of the office of the attorney general has made combating human trafficking in Michigan a priority Schuette identified upon taking office. The unit works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to uncover and prosecute cases of modern-day slavery involving both children and adults.

Colon is next due in court for a pre-exam conference at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 30, and his preliminary exam is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Dec.7. Both will be held in Oakland County.

Photo by Lauren Mitchell via Flickr Commons