An 18-year-old woman working as an exotic dancer in Detroit was enslaved, investigators say, by 30-year-old Vinson Alexander of Florida and 27-year-old Taryn Johnson of Tennessee.
"This woman, whenever she tried to leave she was beaten," said Joy Yearout, a spokesperson for the Michigan Attorney General's Office.
Investigators say they came here from Memphis in December and preyed on a vulnerable, young woman from Southeast Michigan. It is alleged Johnson lured her in with promises that Alexander would take care of her.
"He will be a great boss for you, and you'll make very good money. Clearly that's the opposite of what happened," Yearout said.
Fox 2 has learned she was a dancer at the Penthouse strip club on Eight Mile, but she was discovered at a hotel in Southfield badly beaten.
It happened last Thursday. Fortunately someone called 9-1-1. The victim was so viciously attacked she required medical attention.
"A very dangerous and extreme situation, and we're fortunate that law enforcement discovered it when they did," said Yearout.
If not, she may not have made it. The state attorney general has charged the pair with human trafficking. Alexander is also charged with torture.
"We even have one example when she had one dollar left in her wallet, and he beat her to get that one dollar," Yearout explained. "This woman had tried to leave the situation, and she was violently assaulted. She didn't have access to any of her money. Those are all red flags that show this is not a voluntary situation."
Human trafficking is a crime that is woefully underreported, and 40 percent of human trafficking involves minors.
"You're talking about our daughters, our granddaughters and their classmates being bought and sold as slaves today in 2013," Yearout said.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:37 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:37:11 GMT
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:03:37 GMT
He is an aging war hero with an aging dog named Buddy that has been his faithful companion for 14 years. However, he can't care for him any longer, and his son says the last thing he wants to do is put the dog to sleep.
He is an aging war hero with an aging dog named Buddy that has been his faithful companion for 14 years. However, he can't care for him any longer, and his son says the last thing he wants to do is put the dog to sleep.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-16 00:05:25 GMT
Detroit has a new police chief. James Craig says he is coming home to cut crime in the streets and boost morale in the ranks. He was in town Wednesday.
Detroit has a new police chief. James Craig says he is coming home to cut crime in the streets and boost morale in the ranks. He was in town Wednesday.
Monday, May 20 2013 1:10 PM EDT2013-05-20 17:10:41 GMT
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the majority of southeast Michigan until 8 p.m. Monday as temperatures soar into the upper 80s.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:42 AM EDT2013-05-20 15:42:57 GMT
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Perfect weather for a wonderful cause on Saturday in downtown Detroit and some Fox 2 viewers shared a few photos with us to help capture the day. Take a look and add your photos.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
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Vinson Alexander, 30, and Taryn Johnson, 27
