Woman from Tennessee arraigned in human trafficking case

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A Florida man and a woman from Tennessee are facing charges of torture and human trafficking after allegedly forcing a woman to work as a stripper in southeastern Michigan.

On Monday, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced charges against Vinson Alexander, 30, and his alleged accomplice, Taryn Johnson, 27.

According to Schuette, the charges resulted from an investigation by the Southfield Police Department along with assistance from the FBI and the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force (SEMCAC.)

Authorities said Alexander enslaved a young woman and has forced her to work as a stripper since December. Alexander allegedly collected all her earnings and used threats and violence to control the victim.

Johnson is accused of recruiting the 18-year-old woman, luring her to Alexander with promises of a good salary.

Alexander is accused of violently assaulting the victim on Thursday resulting in serious injuries to the young woman.

The pair was arrested in Southfield on Friday, the same day the following charges were filed against Alexander in Southfield's 46th District Court:

— One count of human trafficking; forced labor for a commercial sex act, a 20-year felony.

— One count of human trafficking; forced labor causing serious physical harm, a 20-year felony.

— One count of human trafficking, financially benefiting from a human trafficking venture, a 10-year felony.

— One count of criminal enterprise, racketeering, a 20-year felony and one count of torture; a felony punishable by life in prison.

The following charge was lodged against Johnson on Friday:

— One count of human trafficking, recruiting for forced labor, a 10-year felony.

Both defendants were arraigned Monday by Magistrate Donna Posey. Alexander's bond was set at $1 million and $750,000 for Johnson.

A pre-exam conference for the pair is set for March 1 and a preliminary exam is slated for March 8.

Michigan's current ban against human trafficking went into effect in August 2006. Schuette's human trafficking unit has convicted five people with the offense.

"Our Constitution's 13th Amendment bans slavery in all its forms, but human traffickers use force, fraud and coercion to exploit victims right here in Michigan," said Schuette in a press release. "Our daughters, friends and neighbors are forced into prostitution, domestic servitude and other forced labor by criminals who take advantage of them."

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, human trafficking is the second-largest and fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, after drug trafficking.

Victims of human trafficking are in bondage through force, fraud or coercion, solely for the purpose of sex or labor exploitation.

Children are especially vulnerable.