Executive Summary
- Kylee Lynn Berry and Jowuan Lawrence Shorter were charged with operating a human trafficking enterprise.
- The investigation was triggered by a robbery report from a man meeting a sex worker at a Southfield hotel.
- Police seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, and trafficking evidence from two hotel rooms.
- Authorities have linked the suspects to additional crimes in Bloomfield Township, Canton, and Romulus.
Two individuals face serious felony charges after a robbery investigation at a Southfield hotel uncovered an alleged human trafficking operation, according to local law enforcement. Police arrested Kylee Lynn Berry, of Pennsylvania, and Jowuan Lawrence Shorter, of Inkster, following the incident on Saturday, February 21.
Prosecutors have charged both suspects with operating a human trafficking enterprise and accepting the earnings of prostitution. According to court records, Berry faces an additional charge of possession of a controlled substance following the discovery of illicit drugs at the scene.
The investigation began when a 47-year-old Detroit man contacted authorities to report a robbery at the hotel. Police reports state that the man admitted he had gone to the location to meet a sex worker. Responding officers subsequently executed search warrants on two hotel rooms, where they allegedly discovered suspected cocaine, fentanyl, and further evidence indicative of human trafficking activity.
Authorities indicated that Shorter and Berry are suspected of being connected to similar criminal activities in Bloomfield Township, Canton, and Romulus. Both suspects are currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
Investigative Outlook
This case highlights the intersectional nature of violent crime and illicit trafficking networks within Metro Detroit. By linking the suspects to activities in multiple jurisdictions—including Canton and Romulus—investigators are likely examining a broader pattern of transient criminal enterprise utilizing hospitality venues. Law enforcement officials are currently seeking a third male suspect in connection with this case, suggesting the operation may have additional layers yet to be dismantled. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
