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2 arrested in Madison Heights human trafficking bust, third suspect at large

By and David Komer online producer
Published  February 9, 2021 8:25pm EST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 2 Detroit

FOX 2 - Investigators announced the bust of a human trafficking ring involving girls - teenagers or even younger - at motels in Madison Heights on Tuesday.

Madison Heights human trafficking ring busted

Two people have been charged, Lavonte Sampson of Harper Woods and Chrystal Forgays of Warren and a third, Carl Perkins, remains on the run.

 
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald charged 36-year-old Lavonte Sampson of Harper Woods and 40-year-old Chrystal Forgays of Warren. A third suspect, Carl Perkins, is currently on the run.

"This crime is happening right here in Oakland County," said McDonald. "This is a lucrative business and that's why we have an enterprise charge here."

It was the fall of 2020 when Madison Heights police began their investigation in conjunction with Homeland Security after an anonymous tip about prostitution, but ended up charging them with conducting a criminal enterprise.

"They have been working diligently on this case since October of 2020 - and it took until just a week ago to finally get the charges to fruition," Chief Corey Haines, Madison Heights police.   

A third suspect, Carl Perkins, is on the run, police say.

The prosecutor's new human trafficking division partnering first with Madison Heights - but will likely partner with more police departments given the prevalence and seriousness of this type of crime.

"These are cases where we have teenage women - no teenage girls - actually being trafficked into prostitution, children exploited in the worst way imaginable by adults who trade their bodies for cash," said McDonald.

McDonald says they've seen cases involving girls as young as 9 years old.

"The pandemic has made this - it has complicated this situation and I think it has made children more vulnerable," she said.

Children who are online - but isolated from teachers, coaches, and friends, are being targeted.

"Children are often trafficked - the average age is 13 that they're trafficked - that's just a kid," she said.\

Suspects Lavonte Sampson and Chrystal Forgays.

Blythe Tyler is president and CEO of CARE House of Oakland County. They are conducting several webinars for parents and teens regarding social media and recognizing predatory behavior - since so often victims are recruited and groomed online.

"We really have to be extra vigilant - especially during this time," she said.

If you or someone you know is a victim of trafficking - there is help - call the national hotline at (888) 373-7888, or text help to 233733. To learn more about CARE House go here.