Man accused of human trafficking, prostitution case in Madison Heights – Daily Tribune

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

2 2 minutes read

Johnson (Madison Heights police photo)

A Detroit man is accused of human trafficking, sexual assault, torture and prostitution of at least two women in Madison Heights.

Police said one of the women, 39, was homeless when suspect Kevin Johnson, 31, of Detroit, took her in and forced her into prostitution until she found herself to the hospital.

Johnson, 31, is jailed on $750,000 bail set at his arraignment Friday before Madison Heights 43rd District Magistrate Michael Mitchell.

The suspect met the 39-year-old woman earlier this year and became friends with her, police said.

“He kind of gave her a place to stay and then started finding her 'dates,' pimping her and human trafficking,” said Madison Height Police Lt. David Koehler.

One of the locations where the suspect lured the women into prostitution was the Red Roof Inn in Madison Heights, 32511 Concord, Dr., police said.

“He operated out of the Red Roof Inn, but there may have been other locations,” Koehler said. “They were moving from place to place. We believe other women may have been involved. We do not have any details yet and the investigation is ongoing.

Madison Heights police are working with Michigan State Police and the federal Department of Homeland Security on the investigation.

Johnson is accused of sexually assaulting one of the women at least twice in addition to a non-sexual physical assault against her, police said.

Police began their investigation June 2, after the 39-year-old woman was hospitalized with injuries resulting from human trafficking, Koehler said.

“The report was generated by the hospital and we were contacted by the hospital at their request,” he said.

Officers arrested Johnson June 4 in Eastpointe, police said, and he was not cooperating with investigators.

Three of the charges against him – torture and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct – carry a sentence of up to life in prison.

Other charges include two counts of transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution and two counts of accepting income from prostitution, each a 20-year felony.

Johnson is also charged with two counts of operating a human trafficking enterprise causing injury, each a 15-year felony; and a misdemeanor charge of battery.

The suspect has a criminal history that includes prison sentences beginning nine years ago, according to Michigan Department of Corrections records.

His previous convictions primarily related to motor vehicle theft and burglary, as well as fleeing police, possession of burglary tools, and receiving and concealing stolen property.

Johnson is scheduled to appear before 43rd District Judge Keith Hunt in Madison Heights at 8 a.m. June 19 for a probable cause conference.

Madison Heights police ask anyone with information about Johnson's ties to human trafficking to contact police Lt. David Koehler at 248-837-2732 or 248-585-2100.

Anyone who is a victim or knows a victim of human trafficking is asked to contact the Common Ground Human Trafficking Hotline at 248-451-2622.