2 Arrested In Oakland County Human Trafficking Case: Sheriff

Officials are still looking for a third man in the case, and believe they are connected to other crimes in multiple metro Detroit cities.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Two people, Jowuan Lawrence Shorter and Kylee Lynn Berry, have been arrested in connection with a human trafficking case in Oakland County, Michigan. They were charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting earnings of prostitution. Investigators found suspected drugs and evidence supporting human trafficking after executing search warrants at the hotel where the incident occurred.

Why it matters

Human trafficking is a serious crime that exploits vulnerable individuals and has far-reaching impacts on communities. This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat this issue and hold perpetrators accountable.

The details

According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Shorter and Berry were arrested on Saturday at a Southfield hotel after a 47-year-old Detroit man reported being robbed while meeting with a sex worker. Police executed search warrants and found suspected cocaine, fentanyl, and evidence supporting human trafficking. Shorter and Berry have extensive criminal histories and are believed to be connected to crimes in other metro Detroit cities.

  • On February 24, 2026, Shorter and Berry were arrested at a Southfield hotel.

The players

Jowuan Lawrence Shorter

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

Kylee Lynn Berry

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

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard

The sheriff who stated that the collective anti-human trafficking efforts continue to grow with strong partnerships across the area, and that this modern-day scourge must be rooted out and perpetrators held to account.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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.”

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

What’s next

Officials are still looking for a third man believed to be connected to this case and are investigating whether Shorter and Berry are linked to other crimes in the metro Detroit area.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat human trafficking, a serious crime that exploits vulnerable individuals. It underscores the importance of strong partnerships and a coordinated approach to identify and arrest perpetrators, as well as the need for continued vigilance and community support to address this persistent issue.