Third Person Charged in Metro Detroit Human Trafficking Case

Authorities say Samuel Lee Hill, 29, was arrested at a Southfield motel by the Oakland County Sheriff's Fugitive Apprehension Team.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A third person, Samuel Lee Hill, has been charged in connection with a human trafficking scheme in Southfield, Michigan, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Hill was arraigned on one count of transporting a female for prostitution and his bond was set at $5,000. This arrest comes after two other people, Jowuan Lawrence Shorter and Kylee Lynn Berry, were previously arraigned on charges related to operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution.

Why it matters

Human trafficking is a serious crime that exploits vulnerable individuals, often women and children, for forced labor or commercial sex. The arrests in this case are part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on human trafficking operations in the Metro Detroit area.

The details

According to court records, Samuel Lee Hill, 29, of Woodhaven, was arrested at a Southfield motel by the Oakland County Sheriff's Fugitive Apprehension Team. Hill was arraigned on one count of transporting a female for prostitution, and his bond was set at $5,000. The sheriff's office says this arrest comes after two other people, 30-year-old Jowuan Lawrence Shorter of Inkster, Michigan, and 27-year-old Kylee Lynn Berry of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, were previously arraigned on charges related to operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution. Shorter was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.

  • On February 25, 2026, Samuel Lee Hill was arraigned on one count of transporting a female for prostitution.
  • On an unspecified date prior to February 25, 2026, Jowuan Lawrence Shorter and Kylee Lynn Berry were arraigned on charges related to operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution.

The players

Samuel Lee Hill

A 29-year-old man from Woodhaven, Michigan who was charged with one count of transporting a female for prostitution.

Jowuan Lawrence Shorter

A 30-year-old man from Inkster, Michigan who was charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution, as well as possession of a controlled substance.

Kylee Lynn Berry

A 27-year-old woman from Connellsville, Pennsylvania who was charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution.

Michael Bouchard

The Oakland County Sheriff who stated that the anti-human trafficking task force was able to identify, locate and arrest the third individual involved in this trafficking case.

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What they’re saying

“Our anti-human trafficking task force was able to identity, locate and arrest this third individual involved in this trafficking case. We will hunt down anyone involved in this modern-day scourge.”

— Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Hill is due back in court for a probable cause conference on March 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement in the Metro Detroit area to crack down on human trafficking operations and hold those involved accountable. It underscores the need for continued vigilance and collaboration to combat this form of modern-day exploitation.