Four charged in Oakland and Macomb counties, breaking up opioid and human trafficking ring

On Tuesday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced the arrest of four individuals charged with multiple crimes in connection with an opioid drug and human trafficking operation being run in Warren, Madison Heights, and Southfield. This case – which starkly highlights the tragic connection between highly addictive drugs and sex trafficking – stems from a coordinated effort between Schuette’s newly formed opioid trafficking unit and existing human trafficking unit, in conjunction with the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes task force.


“Human traffickers will use anything to continue to hold their victims hostage in their dark world,” said Schuette. “We shouldn’t be surprised by their readiness to prey upon those suffering addiction, especially to opioids, which can be purchased cheaply in nearly any town or city across Michigan, to maintain control of their victims.  These traffickers of drugs and sex need to take notice – it will no longer be business as usual in Michigan.  I would like to thank the law enforcement officers from Oakland and Macomb Counties, as well as our federal partners at the FBI for their hard work on this case.”

The complaint filed by Schuette alleges that Melvin Niblett, Corey Cooper, Maurice Rushton, and Jasmin McGinnis engaged in an operation to sell drugs through the illicit sale of sexual services.

The case began in September 2016 when the joint FBI and Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes task force received a tip that an individual was running a drug and prostitution operation in Madison Heights. While under investigation, Niblett and Cooper were caught selling drugs in Warren and charged in a separate but related case by the Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.  Niblett and Cooper were later released on bond.

In October 2016, police received a tip that Niblett was using rooms at a hotel in Southfield to conduct his drug and human trafficking operation. While dozens of individuals were involved, Niblett is alleged to have been at the top of the operation. Niblett and three others have been arrested and charged with a total of 24 felonies. Niblett, Cooper and McGinnis are in custody awaiting a preliminary examination scheduled for August, 21, 2017.  Rushton, who was apprehended in Ohio, is awaiting extradition proceedings there.

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said "The individuals involved in this human and drug trafficking ring will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The victims deserve justice and I am proud of our task force members who partnered with the Attorney General and other agencies to send a clear message that these types of crimes will not be tolerated in our community."

The Oakland County Gang and Violent Crimes task force is operated by the FBI with state and local partners including:  Michigan State Police, Bloomfield Township Police Department, Southfield Police Department, Madison Heights Police Department, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Royal Oak Police Department, Troy Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This task force’s focus is usually on violent crime, so its involvement in this case is considered unique. After asking for the task force’s assistance in apprehending a suspect in a previous human trafficking case, the task force was able to recognize the connection between drug addiction and sex trafficking to bring this case to the attention of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Opioid Trafficking units.

“The connection between sex trafficking and highly addictive drugs is unfortunately very common,” said Schuette. “I want to thank the FBI Oakland County Gang and Violent Crime Task Force for their diligence in recognizing this trend which expands outside the traditional scope of their unit. Their work was important in bringing these allegations to light and bringing an end to this dangerous ring.”

Created by reallocating resources in the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, Schuette’s Human Trafficking Unit has placed an increased focus on combating human trafficking in Michigan, a priority Schuette identified upon taking office. The unit works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to uncover and prosecute cases of modern-day slavery involving both children and adults.

For additional information, visit the Attorney General’s webpage at www.michigan.gov/ag/ and click on “Human Trafficking.”

Also part of Schuette’s Criminal Division, the Opioid Trafficking and Interdiction Unit is comprised of four assistant attorneys general, each with extensive backgrounds in drug crime prosecution. The Unit focuses on cases that cross both state and county lines, involve multiple major actors, and high volumes of heroin and other opioid-based drugs.

The Unit has already taken on more than 40 cases, with six individuals already convicted and 15 currently facing charges. The cases have been and will continue to be charged in cooperation with local law enforcement, Michigan State Police narcotics teams and federal agencies. The Unit will also take on felony murder cases in which it is alleged that the delivery of opioids has caused death.

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