SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A third suspect has been charged in an Oakland County human trafficking investigation after an arrest at a Southfield motel, authorities said Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Samuel Lee Hill, 29, of Woodhaven, was arrested without incident Tuesday evening, Feb. 24, 2026, by the Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team. The sheriff’s office said Hill was arraigned Wednesday in 46th District Court in Southfield.
Hill was charged with transportation of a prostitute, a 20-year felony, the sheriff’s office said. He is being held in the Oakland County Jail on a $5,000 bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, March 5, authorities said.
Sheriff Michael Bouchard said the county’s anti-human trafficking task force identified, located and arrested the third suspect as the investigation continued.
Two other suspects were previously charged in the case, the sheriff’s office said. Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, 30, and Kylee Lynn Berry, 27, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, were each arraigned Monday on charges of operating a human trafficking enterprise, a 15-year felony, and accepting earnings of prostitution, a 20-year felony, authorities said. Berry was also charged with possession of a controlled substance, the sheriff’s office said.
Shorter and Berry are each being held on $50,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities did not release additional investigative details Wednesday about the alleged enterprise or how the suspects are connected, and officials emphasized the case remains in the court process.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim of human trafficking, or who has information about suspected trafficking, is encouraged to contact the Human Trafficking tip line at 248-858-0411 or their local police.
For students and young workers, officials note trafficking concerns can involve online recruitment and offers that seem too good to be true.
