WIXOM, Mich. – A 30-year-old man from Toledo is facing human trafficking charges after reportedly bringing two teens into Michigan.
According to authorities, Michigan State Police troopers stopped to assist three people who were having car problems on eastbound I-96 between New Hudson and Wixom on Nov. 3. Troopers felt something was off as they spoke with the driver, a 16-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman. Police said the driver and the two teens had conflicting stories.
During the conversation, the troopers learned that one of the teens was reportedly missing from a group home in Ohio and all three occupants were staying at a hotel nearby. The three hard reportedly traveled through several states before the traffic stop.
Police searched their phones and the vehicle and reportedly found evidence of child pornography and several advertisements posted for sex work, including one that was posted from the side of I-96.
The 19-year-old was given assistance to fix her vehicle and was released and the 16-year-old girl was turned over to Toledo Children’s Protective Services.
The driver, identified by Michigan State Police as Javonte Kentrell Odom, was arraigned in Novi on the following charges:
- human trafficking of a minor for commercial sexual activity
- transporting a person for the purpose of prostitution
- child sexually abusive activity
- using a computer to commit a crime
- distributing child sexually abusive activity
- possession of child sexually abusive material
His bond was set at $500,000.
