Two arrested in Metro Detroit human trafficking case

Jowuan Shorter and Kylee Berry charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution

Feb. 24, 2026 at 7:19pm

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A Michigan man and a Pennsylvania woman were arrested at a Southfield hotel on charges of human trafficking and prostitution. Jowuan Shorter, 30, and Kylee Berry, 27, were arraigned on felony charges after a 47-year-old Detroit man reported being robbed while meeting a sex worker at the hotel. Investigators found suspected drugs and evidence supporting human trafficking during the investigation.

Why it matters

Human trafficking is a serious crime that exploits vulnerable individuals, often involving the use of force, fraud or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat this form of modern-day slavery in the Metro Detroit area.

The details

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Shorter and Berry were arrested on Saturday, February 21 at a hotel in Southfield after a 47-year-old Detroit man reported being robbed while meeting a sex worker at the hotel. The Sheriff's Office Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, with assistance from the Southfield Police Department, executed search warrants and found suspected drugs and evidence supporting human trafficking. Shorter and Berry were arrested at the hotel, and investigators are seeking a third suspect connected to the case. Both Shorter and Berry have extensive criminal histories and are believed to be connected to other crimes in the area.

  • Shorter and Berry were arrested on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
  • They were arraigned on the charges on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Jowuan Shorter

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

Kylee Berry

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

47-year-old Detroit man

The individual who reported being robbed while meeting a sex worker at the hotel, which led to the investigation and arrests.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

The Oakland County Sheriff who commented on the case and the ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking in the area.

Southfield Police Department

The local police department that assisted the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force in the investigation and arrests.

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What they’re saying

“Our collective anti-human trafficking efforts continue to grow with our strong partnerships across the area. In this case, Southfield police were integral in their efforts, communication and teamwork. With this combined focus, people were identified and arrested on charges of human trafficking. This modern-day scourge must be rooted out and perpetrators held to account. I am proud of our task force's efforts.”

— Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

What’s next

Investigators are seeking a third suspect connected to the case. Shorter and Berry are being held on $50,000 bond, and the judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow them to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement in the Metro Detroit area to combat the serious crime of human trafficking, which exploits vulnerable individuals. The collaboration between the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the Southfield Police Department led to the identification and arrest of two suspects, demonstrating the importance of partnerships in addressing this complex issue.