Warren man charged with trafficking minors

A 19-year-old Warren man is headed to trial on accusations of trafficking minors for sex, according to Attorney General Bill Schuette's office.

Tremaine Woodall was bound over for trial Wednesday on two felony counts sex trafficking minors and two felony counts pandering. He faces 20 years in prison on each charge.

“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,” Schuette said in a statement. “I want to applaud my human trafficking division for their unending dedication to finding justice for the victims of these horrific crimes.”

Woodall's alleged human trafficking operation involved at least two young victims, including a 17-year-old. No information was available about the second alleged victim.

Officials tracked Woodall following a tip Jan. 18 about a suspected minor being prostituted out of a Macomb County hotel, according to Schuette's office.

"The tip resulted in the arrest of Woodall who was with an alleged 17 year-old human trafficking victim at the hotel when found," officials 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."

The Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes task force was involved in the investigation and arrest, officials said.

Woodall was arraigned in January and is being held at the Macomb County Jail. His next appearance is scheduled for April 3 in Macomb County Circuit Court.

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