WARREN, Mich. – Josheph McGough and Robert Standfield, both of Port Huron, have been charged with multiple felonies on suspicion of sex trafficking a minor victim.
Authorities said an investigation into McGough and Standfield was initiated by the Warren Police Department in collaboration with the FBI-led Macomb County Child Exploitation Task Force after an alleged victim came forward in September. The victim is a minor, police said.
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The girl said McGough was trafficking her and her friends out of hotels in Macomb and Oakland Counties between April and September, police said.
According to authorities, the girl said she and her friends were recruited and encouraged to engage in sex work by McGough and Standfield.
Police said McGough informed the girls how to use classified ads online for massage services under a pseudonym. McGough also allegedly took all the earnings the victims made from the sex work, urging them to go on multiple "dates" a day, authorities said. According to police, Standfield allegedly took control over the operation when McGough was out of town.
"The charges filed by the state's Human Trafficking Unit against these subjects for the shameful commercial sexual exploitation of minors soundly demonstrates how the FBI-led Macomb County Child Exploitation Task Force can and will continue to partner with the Attorney General's Office to protect vulnerable youth against sexual predators," said David P. Gelios, special agent in charge at the Detroit division of the FBI.
McGough has been charged with minor sex trafficking, two counts of prostitution/accepting earnings, conducting a criminal enterprise and prostitution/transporting female.
Standfield has been charged with minor sex trafficking, prostitution/accepting earnings, prostitution/transporting female and conducting a criminal enterprise.
All charges for both men are felony offenses.
McGough's next court appearance is Dec. 14, and Standfield's is Dec. 21.
“Individuals who exploit vulnerable minors are some of the worst criminals we see,” Michigan Attorney General Bill Scheutte said. “These charges take two more of these alleged predators off the street and demonstrates the teamwork and commitment of law enforcement at state, local and federals levels on this case is an example of how the crime of sex trafficking is being tackled in Michigan. I look forward to continuing this partnership as we continue to confront this crime.”
