Crime & Safety

Human Trafficking Charges Put Macomb County Man On Trial

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said the 19-year-old will face four felony counts.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI – A 19-year-old Warren man is facing felony charges related to a human trafficking operation. Tremaine Woodall was bound over for trial on March 22 on four felony charges, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a statement.

Woodall is charged with two felony counts of Minor Sex Trafficking and two felony counts of pandering, all of which are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He is accused of holding

“For years, human trafficking was viewed as a crime that happens ‘somewhere else.’ But as hard as it is to stomach, human trafficking happens in Michigan every single day,” said Schuette. “I want to applaud my human trafficking division for their unending dedication to finding justice for the victims of these horrific crimes.”

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Woodall was arraigned in January on the charges. He is currently in Macomb County jail. He was bound over for trial on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 by Judge Michael Chupa in the 37th District Court in Macomb County. His next court date is set for April 3, 2017 in Macomb Circuit Court.

Charges were filed against Woodall after the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes task force received a tip about an alleged minor being prostituted out of a Macomb County hotel on January 18, 2017. The task force immediately began its investigation.

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The tip resulted in the arrest of Woodall, who was with an alleged 17 year-old human trafficking victim at the hotel when found by SEMTEC, Schuette said. Agents also found a backpage.com post from January 18, 2017 which allegedly featured the victim. It is alleged that Woodall took the photos for and made the posting on the site. Agents also identified the second alleged victim during their investigation.

Photo via Shutterstock

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