Forced CriminalityArchive 2008–2016

Forced Criminality in Detriot, Michigan (2007)

A forced criminality case from 2007 in Detriot, Michigan, United States.

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Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don’t have a verifiable source on file yet. Know one?

What happened

Michail Aronov, 34, a Lithuanian national, was sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for his role as a ringleader in an involuntary servitude and money laundering conspiracy. He was the last of nine convicted defendants to be sentenced for crimes associated with this conspiracy. He was convicted for conspiring to violate the civil rights of Eastern European women by forcing them to work as exotic dancers in Detroit-area strip clubs, as well as immigration and money laundering conspiracies. Aronov was also ordered to pay more than $1 million in restitution to the victims. The court had previously ordered Aronov’s henchman, Aleksandr Maksimenko, to reimburse the dancers a total of $1,570,450. The court also ordered that $537,043 in cash seized from Maksimenko’s home and safety deposit boxes, as well as about $30,000 worth of jewelry, be used to satisfy a portion of the restitution award. Maksimenko received a 14-year prison sentence. His father, Venyamin Gonikman, remains a fugitive. Three other individuals were also previously sentenced as a part of this conspiracy.

Response and intervention

ICE was who the victim reported to, and they were the ones who rescued the remaining victims and investigated the incident. A victim went to ICE and told her story. ICE went that same night and rescued the two women still enslaved. A victim personally went and reported the incident to ICE.

Nearby cases

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Sex Trafficking2005

Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2005

United States US

Nine people worked to traffic Eastern European women to work as exotic dancers in Detroit-area strip clubs. Michail Aronov is believed to be the leader of the operation. The group used the business Beauty Search, Inc. as a cover to recruit women. The victims were then smuggled into the U.S. and forced to work as dancers in the clubs. The business partners referred to their plan for intimidation as “The System.” This involved taking the victims’ passports, imposing debts and monetary penalties, enforcing strict rules, and physical and verbal violence and threats. They also threatened to expose the victims as illegal immigrants. An escaped victim’s car was firebombed and used as a threat to others as the consequences of escape.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016

Sex Trafficking2009

Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2009

United States US

Not much information given, they put up false adds in an over seas newspaper to bring girls to America, under the guise of a study abroad program. Picked her up at the airport, changed her final destination and took her passport and her freedom. http://www.cnn.com/2009/OPINION/11/25/carr.human.trafficking/index.html

1 sourceArchive 2008–2016

Forced Labor2005

Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2005

United States US

Between 2001 and 2005, a ring operating as Beauty Search Inc. recruited women in Ukraine, smuggled them into the US, in some cases through Mexico, and compelled them to work in Detroit-area exotic dance clubs for the ring's profit.

1 source