Sex TraffickingArchive 2008–2016

Sex Trafficking in East Side, Detroit, Michigan (2011)

A sex trafficking case from 2011 in East Side, Detroit, 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

Mitchell faces charges that could land him in prison for life, including two counts of human trafficking, three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, racketeering, counts of prostitution, felonious assault and felony firearms. The specific charges are: • Two counts of Human Trafficking - Threats of Physical Harm Causing Injury (Involving Criminal Sexual Conduct), a felony punishable by life in prison; • One count of Criminal Sexual Conduct - First Degree (Personal Injury), a felony punishable by life in prison; • Two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct - First Degree (Relationship), a felony punishable by life in prison; • One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a 20-year felony; • Two counts of Prostitution/Pandering, a 20-year felony; • Two counts of Prostitution - Accepting Earnings, a 20-year felony; • One count of Felonious Assault, a four-year felony; • One count of Felony Firearm - Second Offense, a 5-year felony; and, • One count of Felon in Possession of Firearm, a 5-year felony. A Michigan law banning human trafficking was strengthened in 2010 and went into effect in April 2011. The changes include adding trafficking to the list of offenses include under the state's racketeering law. It authorizes additional compensation for trafficking victims and stronger penalties.

Response and intervention

Mitchell was arrested in Mojave, California in July 2011. Schuette's office is working to have him extradited to Michigan to face charges there. The charges stem from an investigation by Michigan State Police and the FBI through the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task force. "This arrest is a huge step forward in Michigan's fight to combat human trafficking," said Bridgette Carr, Director of the University of Michigan Law School's human trafficking clinic. No aftercare was reported for the two girls. NB re dates of bondage: The AG alleges one 14-year-old was enslaved by Mitchell after he invited her to attend a party in July 2010. According to the AG, the child was then held captive in a house on Detroit's east side for approximately two months. The AG also says a 15-year-old girl was enslaved under similar circumstances from December 2010 to January 2011.

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 Criminality2007

Detriot, Michigan, United States, 2007

United States US

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.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016