Man Charged With Human Trafficking After Woman Escapes In Oakland County: Police

MADISON HEIGHTS, MI — A Warren man is facing human trafficking charges after a woman escaped and sought help, according to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office.

Lawrence Robert Harris Weaver, 48, was charged with human trafficking, forced labor resulting in injury/commercial sexual activity and prostitution/accepting earnings.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine for the human trafficking charge and up to 20 years in prison for the prostitution charge.

On Monday, July 21, prosecutors said the woman ran away from Weaver in Madison Heights after he hit the woman in the mouth after she refused to continue the commercial sex work.

She went to a nearby business, where she eventually met police, prosecutors said.

She told officers that Weaver had threatened to kill her if she left, citing the case of a sex worker found murdered in Detroit, prosecutors said.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital while officers arrested Weaver, prosecutors said.

"Traffickers use manipulation, threats, and physical abuse to rob their victims of any agency," Oakland County Karen McDonald said. "I applaud this woman's bravery to escape and the Good Samaritans who helped her get medical care."