A Sterling Heights man has been charged with sex trafficking a minor in Southfield, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced on Friday.
Andrew Golden was charged with one count of human trafficking - recruiting a minor for commercial sexual activity, for allegedly sex trafficking the 17-year-old girl.
It all started after Ohio authorities received a tip to the Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes task force on Dec. 13.
The tip came from a 15-year-old girl who was found in Pennsylvania the week before, and reported she was picked up in New Jersey by Golden and the 17-year-old. Golden allegedly told them he would take them to Michigan and post them online for sex.
On Dec. 14, SEMTEC agents found an ad on Backpage.com advertising adult escorts that matched the description of the minor in question. Agents conducted an undercover operation and rescued the girl. Golden was arrested at a hotel in Southfield.
This case continues to highlight the sickening reality that Human Trafficking is happening right here in Michigan, every day,” Schuette said in a release. “I want to applaud the quick work of all the law enforcement and investigative teams in acting on this tip and rescuing a young woman from this horrible situation.”
Golden was arraigned on charges Friday in Southfield District Court and given a $200,000 bond.
