Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette on Tuesday announced that the four individuals involved in running a multi-county drug and human trafficking ring have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. The ring which operated in Warren, Madison Heights, and Southfield highlights the connection of highly addictive opioids and sex trafficking.
“Opioid addiction is an ever-growing problem and many traffickers use it as a way to force their victims to remain captive,” said Schuette. “Today’s sentencing should serve as a warning to traffickers who get their victims hooked on drugs as a way to prey on them. We know the game being played, and I will take these dangerous individuals off the street. I would like to thank the law enforcement officers from Oakland and Macomb Counties, as well as our federal partners at the FBI for their hard work on this case.”
The defendants were sentenced to the following on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 before Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Potts.
—Melvin Niblett, 38, of Southfield, sentenced to 78 months - 20 years in prison.
—Corey Cooper, 45, sentenced to 66 months - 20 years in prison.
—Maurice Rushton, 57, sentenced to 19 months - 10 years.
—Jasmin McGinnis, 27, of Canton, sentenced to 29 months - 20 years in prison.
All four have to pay courts fees and are prohibited from having any contact with their co-defendants and victims.
“The sentencing of these four individuals marks a safer day for the Madison Heights community,” said Madison Heights Police Chief Corey Haines. “These types of crimes cannot be taken lightly, and our department will continue to work with the attorney general and task force in a continued effort to thwart the spread of human trafficking and take dangerous drugs off the streets.”
The four defendants pleaded guilty to the following charges on November 21, 2017:
—Niblett pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Deliver 50-449 Grams of Cocaine and / or Heroin, a 20-year felony and three counts of Human Trafficking - Forced Labor, 10-year felonies.
—Cooper pleaded guilty to one count of Possession with Intent to Deliver less than 50 Grams of Heroin, a 20-year felony.
—Rushton pleaded guilty to one count of Human Trafficking – Procuring Person for Forced Labor, a 10-year felony.
—McGinnis pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Deliver 50-449 Grams of Cocaine and / or Heroin, a 20 year felony and one count of Human Trafficking – Procuring Person for Forced Labor, a 10-year felony.
The complaint filed by Schuette alleges that Melvin Niblett, Corey Cooper, Maurice Rushton, and Jasmin McGinnis engaged in an operation to sell drugs through the illicit sale of sexual services.
The case began in September 2016 when the FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes Task Force received a tip that an individual was running a drug and prostitution operation in Madison Heights.
While under investigation, Niblett and Cooper were caught selling drugs in Warren and charged in a separate but related case by Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith. Niblett and Cooper were later released on bond.
In October 2016, police received a tip that Niblett was using rooms at a hotel in Southfield to conduct his drug and human trafficking operation. While dozens of individuals were involved, Niblett is alleged to have been at the top of the operation. Niblett and three others were arrested and charged with a total of 24 felonies.
“Victims of sexual exploitation and drug addiction in Macomb and Oakland counties are safer today following the investigative work that resulted in the successful dismantlement of these defendants' illicit criminal enterprise,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge David P. Gelios, Detroit Division. “This sort of predatory behavior simply cannot be tolerated in our communities. While a notable achievement, residents are urged to remain alert to indicators of human trafficking and to call the FBI or state or local law enforcement when suspicious or illegal activity is observed.”
The FBI’s Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes task force is operated by the FBI with state and local partners including: Michigan State Police, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Madison Heights Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Royal Oak Police Department, Troy Police Department, The Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Justice has been served and these individuals who preyed on our community will now be held accountable for their criminal behavior.” said Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard. “I am proud of the partnership of the Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the attorney general to be able to put these death dealers and human traffickers away for a long time.”
Created by reallocating resources in the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, Schuette’s Human Trafficking Unit has placed an increased focus on combating human trafficking in Michigan, a priority Schuette identified upon taking office. The unit works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to uncover and prosecute cases of modern-day slavery involving both children and adults.
Also part of Schuette’s Criminal Division, the Opioid Trafficking and Interdiction Unit is comprised of four assistant attorneys general, each with extensive backgrounds in drug crime prosecution. The unit focuses on cases that cross both state and county lines, involve multiple major actors, and high volumes of heroin and other opioid-based drugs.
The unit has already taken on nearly 50 cases, with multiple convictions and more than a dozen currently facing charges. The cases have been and will continue to be charged in cooperation with local law enforcement, Michigan State Police narcotics teams and federal agencies. The unit will also take on felony murder cases in which it is alleged that the delivery of opioids has caused death.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://test.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
