A Metro Detroit nonprofit helped a human trafficking survivor clear her criminal record.

Leslie King had a violent past.

Romanian authorities say that divisive social media personality Andrew Tate has been arrested on charges of human trafficking and rape.

A woman who served time in prison for crimes she committed while being human trafficked has been pardoned by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Three women who ran Greenday Massage parlor in Warren are accused of running a prostitution ring and are being investigated for human trafficking, police said.

Michigan State Police (MSP) located a missing 21-year-old woman in Southfield after determining she was taken into sex trafficking.

The FBI recovered more than 200 sex trafficking survivors during a nationwide operation during the first two weeks of August.

A Warren man posted advertisements online and forced a girl to have commercial sex for several months so he could make money, officials said.

This is the story of two Michigan women -- both victims of human trafficking -- who were sentenced and served their time for crimes they committed.

A documentary produced in Metro Detroit is working to expose the horrors of human trafficking.

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald is focusing on cracking down on human trafficking with a newly formed human trafficking unit. Keast said the highway hotel human trafficking loop is real in Oakland County. READ: New Oakland County human trafficking unit makes arrests in Madison HeightsAdIn February Local 4 reported on recent crackdowns thanks to the unit. Lavonte Sampson of Harper Woods and Chrystal Forgays of Warren were both charged with seven felony counts in a human trafficking case in Madison Heights. The Oakland County human trafficking unit is back at work tracking down some new leads in other cases.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will no longer pursue charges against those who work consensually in the sex industry. They said that when sex work is legal, sex trafficking tended to increase and not decrease. Indeed the criminalization of sex work actually increases the risk of sex work adjacent harm. Accordingly, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will henceforth decline to bring charges related to consensual sex work per se. READ: Human trafficking survivor takes fight for change to LansingChrissy Hemphill is an advocate for human trafficking survivors.

LANSING, Mich. – The human trafficking and abuse case against former U.S. gymnastics coach John Geddert is over after he took his own life at a rest stop, but legal experts believe the way he was charged may be a new beginning in the fight to protect young athletes. READ: Hours after being charged with 24 felonies, former gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himselfWhen the state charged Geddert with 20 counts of human trafficking in February, each count was for a specific allegation of forced labor -- 14 counts against adult athletes, six counts against minors. It was a novel approach by prosecutors that could potentially set the stage for future cases against major amateur sports organizations or colleges. AdREAD: Why was John Geddert allowed to turn himself in? He spent years as an investigator for the NCAA, looking into complaints of mistreatment made by athletes against coaches or team officials.

The Michigan Sexual Assault Hotline offers anonymous assistance and support without judgement. John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday just hours after he was charged with 24 felonies. READ: Hours after being charged with 24 felonies, former gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himselfGeddert would have faced multiple counts of human trafficking, some involving minors. AdNessel announced the 24 felony charges against the former gymnastics coach at a press conference Thursday afternoon. We later found out he did not turn himself in.”AdThe statement went on to say that having Geddert turn himself in was standard procedure and “We had no indication that Geddert intended to flee or hurt himself or others.

John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday just hours after he was charged with multiple felonies. AdREAD: Officials say former gymnastics coach John Geddert was expected to be arraigned same day he kills himselfWho was John Geddert? Court documents outline numerous allegations of verbal, physical, emotional abuse that young women and girls endured because of Geddert. Officials said one survivor reported that between 2010 and 2013, Geddert verbally abused her and controlled what she ate. According to the documents, a survivor told investigators that she was sexually abused by Geddert in the locker room after practice when she was 14 years old.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the investigation into Michigan State University involvement with Larry Nassar is going nowhere. According to the Attorney General’s office, the investigation remains inconclusive and nearly 6,000 school documents have not been released to investigators. Nessel sent a letter to the MSU Board of Trustees Wednesday and requested access to the 6,000 documents. “You will have shut the door on the pursuit of justice,” Nessel said in the letter. Klages was convicted of lying to a police officer in the Nassar investigation and sentenced to 90 days jail.

WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich – A rest area along I-96 in Grand Ledge was shut down for hours, and Michigan State Police and its evidence technicians were called out after the body of John Geddert was found behind a dumpster. Twenty-four charges were filed against the former Olympics coach, who was expected to present himself for an arraignment Thursday afternoon. READ: Hours after being charged with 24 felonies, former gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himselfGeddert was the Team USA women’s gymnastics coach in the 2012 Olympics. Geddert and Nassar were friends, and the charges against Geddert unveiled on Thursday by Attorney General Dana Nessel are serious -- 24 counts total. “It is alleged John Geddert used force, fraud and coercion against the young athletes who came to him for gymnastics training for financial benefit to him,” Nessel said.

LANSING, Mich. – John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday hours after he was charged with 24 felonies. READ: Former US Olympics coach John Geddert kills himself following announcement of felony chargesPolice confirmed Geddert’s body was found at a rest stop on I-96 in Grand Ledge just after 3:20 p.m. Geddert was expected to be arraigned at 2 p.m. Thursday on 24 felonies, but he did not show up to the hearing. During Nassar’s trial, multiple gymnasts said they held Geddert responsible for Nassar’s abuse and said Geddert had enabled Nassar. Nessel announced the 24 felony charges against the former gymnastics coach at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

GRAND LEDGE, Mich. – Police have confirmed John Geddert, the former U.S. Olympics coach and former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, killed himself Thursday at a rest stop in Grand Ledge. He was 63 years old. According to the Michigan State Police, Geddert’s body was found at a rest area on eastbound I-96 just after 3:20 p.m.UPDATE: Hours after being charged with 24 felonies, former gymnastics coach John Geddert kills himselfProsecutors filed charges earlier that day in Eaton County against Geddert. READ: Ex-Olympics coach with ties to Nassar faces 20 human trafficking charges among othersAdThe former U.S. Olympics coach had ties to disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison -- 40-125 years in Eaton County prison and 40-175 years in Ingham County prison -- after more than 150 victims came forward accusing him of sexual assault. The following felony charges were filed against Geddert:14 charges of human trafficking -- forced labor resulting in injurySix charges of human trafficking of a minor for forced laborOne count of criminal enterprises -- racketeering proceedsOne count first degree criminal sexual conductOne county second degree criminal sexual conductOne count lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigationMichigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called Geddert’s death “a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved.”

LANSING, Mich. – Prosecutors filed charges Thursday in Eaton County against the former owner of Twistars Gymnastics, John Geddert. The former U.S. Olympics coach had ties to disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison -- 40-125 years in Eaton County prison and 40-175 years in Ingham County prison -- after more than 150 victims came forward accusing him of sexual assault. UPDATE: Former US Olympics coach John Geddert kills himself following announcement of felony chargesGeddert was the head coach of the U.S. Olympics Gymnastics team in 2012. Geddert, 63, is accused of injuring people for years through forced labor, recruiting minors for forced labor and molestation. “I am grateful for these survivors coming forward to cooperate with our investigation and for bravely sharing their stories.”

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Police arrested two people in a human trafficking bust in Oakland County. Two people are in custody and Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald hopes a third suspect will be in custody soon. The bust was the result of several months of work by Madison Heights Police Department, Homeland Security and other organizations. The bust was made by the first ever Oakland County Prosecutor Office Unit which is focused on human and sex trafficking. READ: Human trafficking survivor takes fight for change to Lansing

LANSING, Mich. – A woman who survived human trafficking is sharing her story with lawmakers in Lansing, pushing for laws to be changed to protect others. READ: Metro Detroit human trafficking survivor faced charges and is now exposing major flaw in criminal systemLeigh was 23 years old when she was held in a Metro Detroit motel and trafficked for five days. READ: The Joseph Project works to connect human trafficking survivors with pro bono legal servicesHer case is a common one, according to a recent study by the Polaris Project. Nearly 91 percent of human trafficking survivor respondents reported having been arrested. Besides working to prevent human trafficking victims from being charged with a crime, there is a huge need for housing services for trafficking victims.

DETROIT – January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, but one Detroit organization focuses on that issue all 12 months of the year. “‘No’ means nothing in the world of sex trafficking,” survivor Lauren Sowell said. “Like, your voice means nothing.”Sowell was only 14 when she was introduced to the underground world of sex trafficking. “Alternatives For Girls is a non-profit based in Southwest Detroit,” CEO Amy Good said. “I thank god for Alternatives For Girls,” Sowell said.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office will no longer pursue charges against those who work consensually in the sex industry. “We are focused on crime that really harms the community,” said Washtenaw County prosecutor Eli Savit. Charges will not be filed against consensual sex workers, officials said. The prosecutor will still work cases against human traffickers and those who may be holding people against their will. READ: Washtenaw County Prosecutor no longer pursuing charges for consensual sex work

ANN ARBOR – Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit announced Thursday that his office will no longer press criminal charges in consensual sex work cases. Savit said that his office will continue to “vigorously pursue” sex work crimes, including sexual and physical assault, human trafficking and crimes involving children. “The criminalization of sex work actually increases the risk of sex work-adjacent harm,” reads the 8-page policy directive issued to Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys. Furthermore, research papers in the world’s leading independent medical journal, The Lancet, conclude that decriminalizing sex work can reduce new HIV infections. “Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the American Civil Liberties Union have all called for the decriminalization of sex work,” reads the directive.

OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – A Metro Detroit woman spoke with the Local 4 Defenders to expose a major flaw in the criminal system. The woman is a survivor of human trafficking. Whatever we wanted,” Leigh said. Her captors forgot to move the phone in the room and Leigh was able to call her mother for help. It should have been stated as fact this was human trafficking and not anything else,” Leigh’s father said.

DETROIT – An undercover operation was launched to rescue a teenage girl who was being sold for sex in a motel room. Court documents reveal the man used several phones to advertise the teenage girl, communicate with her and capture and share explicit videos of her. A report by the Human Trafficking Institute said Michigan ranks eighth in the nation for the number of defendants convicted of human trafficking. Across the country in 2019, only six percent of all human trafficking cases being prosecuted were forced labor cases. READ: Stop the Trafficking: Unveiling the truth behind human traffickingView the Michigan summary from the 2019 federal human trafficking report below:View the entire 2019 federal human trafficking report below:

PONTIAC, Mich. – As many businesses struggle to weather the pandemic, nonprofits are also fighting to stay afloat. When a woman is saved from trafficking, they need to find a place to find themselves and be brought back to life. Hope Against Trafficking, a nonprofit based out of Pontiac, is one of those places. RELATED: Hope Against Trafficking creates safe space for victims in Southeast MichiganFighting and saving survivors of human trafficking is difficult work to begin with without a pandemic. Hope Against Trafficking is a nonprofit organization which benefits from tremendous volunteers and community involvement.

A fundraiser will be held this weekend in Canton Township to benefit survivors of human trafficking. The 6th annual Bollywood Bash will be held at the Canton Village Theater on Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Bollywood Bash is a showcase for Metro Detroit to show off the excitement and diversity available to everyone while raising money for a good cause. Proceeds go to help further the efforts of Sanctum House (an organization created to help women that have been rescued out of human trafficking) The show itself is a showcase of dances and performances from around the world including traditional folk dances, aerialists, fire performers, and musical acts). Find out more on the Facebook event page.

WARREN, Mich. – Warren police arrested 25 women and 21 men and charged them with a total of 103 crimes as part of an operation focused on human trafficking and prostitution, Commissioner Bill Dwyer said. Azhia Bowen is charged with prostitution, using a computer to commit a crime and driving with a suspended license. Douglas Brauschweig is charged with soliciting prostitution. Kathina Carey is charged with prostitution, house of prostitution, transporting a prostitute and using a computer to commit a crime. Tameka Davis is charged with prostitution, using a computer to commit a crime and house of prostitution.

Woman who helps human trafficking survivors shares own story of survivalIf you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Women and men need support to escape a cyclical lifestyle which has a tight grip on victims. The good news is, places like HOPE Against Trafficking exist. This group from Southeast Michigan has made it their mission to create safe and nurturing homes for victims of the lifestyle. The hope is to help those victims become survivors through a two-year program. Hope Against Trafficking is a non-profit organization which benefits from tremendous volunteers and community involvement.

Women and men need support to escape a cyclical lifestyle which has a tight grip on victims. The good news is, places like HOPE Against Trafficking exist. This group from Southeast Michigan has made it their mission to create safe and nurturing homes for victims of the lifestyle. The hope is to help those victims become survivors through a two-year program. Hope Against Trafficking is a non-profit organization which benefits from tremendous volunteers and community involvement.

Human trafficking is a global problem which claims the freedom of 24.9 million people worldwide, according to Polarisproject.com. Victims are used for labor, sex, and denied basic human rights. Many of us imagine a scene in which someone is grabbed and thrown into a van, but the truth is, it’s much easier for the bad guys to make contact with their victims. Predators start seemingly innocent conversations in popular social apps, many times while the kids are just inches away from their parents. In our series, Stop the Trafficking, we hope to shed light on common misconceptions and unveil the truth behind trafficking.