Man sentenced to prison in relation to human trafficking operation

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last Thursday announced that Christopher Lowery, 24, of, Detroit was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison for his role in a Southeast Michigan human trafficking operation.

“Unfortunately human trafficking happens in Michigan every day, which is why I created the Human Trafficking Division in my office to help fight this and put traffickers behind bars,” said Schuette. “By working with law enforcement at the local and federal level we can make an impact and send a message that trafficking will never be tolerated in Michigan.” 

“Today, Christopher Lowery was sentenced on charges of human trafficking, which is a form of modern day slavery. Through our participation in the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force (SEMTEC), the FBI will continue to work to combat all allegations of human trafficking which pose an ongoing threat of violence in our communities and exploit innocent victims for the purposes of someone else’s monetary gain,” said Timothy R. Slater, special agent in charge, Detroit Division of the FBI.

Lowery pleaded guilty in March 2018 to Human Trafficking Forced Labor which was a ten-year felony. Lowery was sentenced on April 5 before Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hathaway.

The FBI and The Southeast Michigan Trafficking Exploitation Crimes Task Force (SEMTEC), as part of an ongoing investigation, conducted an undercover operation in Redford which led to the arrest of Lowery for suspicion of running a prostitution operation at the motel.  Lowery was previously incarcerated in the Wayne County Jail in November 2016.  A review of his jail calls showed Lowery conducting a prostitution operation from his jail cell.

Further investigation found that between January 18, 2017 and April 20, 2017 there were 97 invoices from Lowery’s backpage account which offered prostitution services.   

Lowery was incarcerated in the Wayne County Jail on March 27, 2017, but was released on bond in December 2017.  

After his arrest in March Lowery was charged with Accepting Earnings of Prostitution, Keeping a House of Prostitution, and Conducting a Criminal Enterprise.

In March 2018, after two days of trial, Lowery pleaded to Human Trafficking Forced Labor.