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Two Charged in Southfield Hotel Human Trafficking Case After Weekend Arrests

Detectives are seeking a third suspect linked to possible crimes in nearby cities.

Overview

  • Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, 30, of Inkster, and Kylee Lynn Berry, 27, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, are charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution, and Berry also faces a drug possession count.
  • The arrests followed a 47-year-old Detroit man's report that he was robbed in a hotel room where he said he went to meet a sex worker.
  • Search warrants for two rooms at the Southfield hotel led investigators to suspected cocaine and fentanyl along with evidence supporting trafficking allegations.
  • Both defendants were arraigned Monday in Southfield's 46th District Court and are being held on $50,000 bond each.
  • Authorities say the investigation is active, a third person is being sought, and the Southfield activity may be connected to crimes in Bloomfield Township, Canton and Romulus, with county and Southfield units coordinating the case.