Domestic ServitudeArchive 2008–2016

Domestic Servitude in Farmington Hills, Michigan (2008)

A domestic servitude case from 2008 in Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States.

This page describes exploitation and abuse. Need to report something? How to report →

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

What happened

Joseph and Evelyn Djoumessi brought the victim, a 14-year old girl from Cameroon, to the U.S. in October 1996 to work against her will as a domestic servant in their home. The victim took care of the couple's children, cleaned the home, and was beaten in make sure she performed her duties. Joseph also sexually abused the victim. The victim worked for the couple until February 2000.

Response and intervention

In March 2006, Evelyn and Joseph Djoumessi were convicted. In May 2007 Joseph was sentenced to 218 months in prison and Evelyn to 60 months for conspiracy to hold the victim in involuntary servitude. The couple was also ordered to pay the victim $100,000 in restitution. The victim began telling the couple's neighbor, Susan Aschoff, about her situation, who then called Farmington Hills Counseling Services and the police. The case was investigated by ICE agents. The victim graduated college in 2007.

Nearby cases

All 892 in the United States →

CSEC2008

Birmingham, Michigan, United States, 2008

United States US

The police would not prosecute the men for trafficking because at the time there was no federal law against trafficking, kidnapping, or rape and the case was too late to prosecute.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016

Sex Trafficking2011

East Side, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2011

United States US

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.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016

CSEC2011

Detroit, Michigan, United States, 2011

United States US

Anderson Byron Walker, Jeremiah Collins, Andy Wyzell, McArthur Harris abducted a 15-year-old female from Howell, Michigan, and transported her to Atlanta, Georgia. Walker sexually assaulted the victim and forced her into prostitution. Walker was charged with one count of transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Walker was sentenced over 6 years in prison. Walker is also serving two 7-year terms and six 20-year terms in Oklahoma State prison on eight counts to include: Assault; Battery; Kidnapping; and Rape.

Needs a sourceArchive 2008–2016