HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Because a sex-trafficked victim decided to escape, two people are now facing several felony charges, according to Wayland Police Chief Mark Garnsey.
He said in a statement emailed to media Friday that the victim “took the opportunity to turn their life completely around. The fact that we were involved in positively impacting the lives of others and rescuing them is something we are very proud of.”
Wayland resident Robert Henry Grigsby, 51, and Grand Rapids resident Vanessa Anne Phillips, 39, face charges for allegedly conducting a criminal enterprise involving prostitution and sex trafficking of several women in Grigsby’s Wayland home and other locations throughout the greater Grand Rapids area, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.
Grigsby was arraigned in Allegan County’s 57th District Court Friday, March 26, 2021, on the following charges: one count of forced labor/commercial sex (also called sex trafficking), a 15-year felony, if convicted; and three 20-year felonies: two counts of accepting earnings of prostitution; two counts of transportation for prostitution; and one count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise.
Phillips also arraigned in the 57th District Court, faces similar charges: two counts of forced labor/commercial sex; two counts of accepting earnings of prostitution; and one count of conspiracy to conduct a criminal enterprise.
“Those who seek to exploit vulnerable individuals are willing to set up shop anywhere. The dedicated officers of the Wayland Police Department knew that when they initiated and pursued their investigation,” said Nessel in Friday’s statement. “Our partnerships with local law enforcement agencies like the Wayland Police Department make it possible to pursue these predators wherever they are operating in Michigan.”
Wayland Police began an investigation into a human trafficking operation being conducted out of a residence in Wayland, Michigan in October 2018. The investigation uncovered evidence of commercial sexual activity and transporting women for illegal activities from which the accused allegedly profited.
“Thankfully crimes like this do not occur in Wayland very often,” Garnsey said. “However, the Wayland Police are fortunate to have experienced officers and investigators that are up to the task. The Wayland Police would like to thank the Attorney General’s Office for the time given to this case, and their relentless persistence in helping us bring two human traffickers to justice.”
He went on to thank the Human Trafficking Task Force, comprised of Michigan State Police, Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Since 2011, the Department of the Attorney General has provided training to more than 1,000 professionals and filed charges against more than 30 individuals for human trafficking – all leading to arrests. It has successfully convicted 24, with cases against several additional defendants currently pending. The department is also home to the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission which works to direct state policy on human trafficking.
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