Oakland County Doctor Traded Medical Care For Sex: Police

ROYAL OAK, MI — A Royal Oak doctor is facing human trafficking and drug charges, according to the prosecutor's office.

Gireesh Velugubanti, 49, was charged with human trafficking enterprise resulting in injury/commercial sexual activity and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance less than 50 grams.

If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for the human trafficking charge and up to 20 years in prison for the drug charge.

The incident stems from a trafficking ring out of the Sonesta Suites hotel, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Velugubanti traded medical care for sex with trafficked women, and even threatened to cut off healthcare to one woman he was unhappy with.

Prosecutors said text messages between Velugubanti and one of those running the human trafficking operation discussed a time for him to have sex with a victim and to buy drugs.

Three other people from the human trafficking operation have also been charged, prosecutors said.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald called the doctor's actions "especially shocking."

"Purchasing sex with trafficked women isn’t a victimless crime. It is abuse," McDonald said. "This defendant and men like him, often living comfortable lives, prey on victims who have been denied personal agency or freedom by traffickers. Sex trafficking only exists because so-called ‘customers’ create an economic incentive. They will be held accountable."