Executive Summary
- Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announces a policy shift to prosecute sex buyers (“johns”) to curb trafficking demand.
- Eight men have been charged following sting operations in Auburn Hills and Southfield.
- The Oakland County Commission has allocated nearly $500,000 to the Human Trafficking Task Force to support these operations.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced a strategic shift in the county’s approach to combating human trafficking on Wednesday, declaring that her office will now aggressively target the individuals purchasing commercial sex work to reduce market demand. Speaking from her Pontiac office, McDonald outlined a directive focused on prosecuting “johns”—the customers—rather than solely focusing on the traffickers or the individuals being trafficked.
According to prosecutor’s office officials, the new initiative is already underway, with criminal charges currently being pursued against eight men arrested during human trafficking sting operations in Auburn Hills and Southfield. McDonald stated that while the authorities continue to pursue the traffickers organizing these operations, holding the customers accountable is essential to disrupting the business model.
“We are charging ‘johns,'” McDonald said during the press conference. “Because even though that’s just a misdemeanor, it is a crime, and it is not a victimless crime, and without that demand, you are not going to see this lucrative business continue to thrive.” She noted that many purchasers have significant personal and professional stakes, suggesting that the threat of prosecution could serve as a strong deterrent.
The announcement was supported by local law enforcement and county leadership, including members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and the Human Trafficking Task Force operated by Sheriff Michael Bouchard. Auburn Hills Police Chief Ryan Gagnon publicly thanked the task force, emphasizing the necessity of eradicating the demand for illicit sex work within the community.
Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward confirmed the local government’s financial commitment to this strategy, noting that the county budget includes nearly $500,000 to fund the Human Trafficking Task Force. Woodward stated that the county is investing significant resources into personnel to handle these complex cases and sent a direct warning to traffickers that operations in Oakland County would face strict enforcement.
Strategic Enforcement Outlook
The decision by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office to prioritize the prosecution of buyers marks a tactical pivot from traditional enforcement models, which have historically focused heavily on the supply side of illicit sex work. By targeting the economic drivers of trafficking rings, authorities aim to dismantle the financial incentives of the trade. This demand-reduction strategy aligns with broader judicial trends that increasingly view sex workers in trafficking scenarios as victims requiring support rather than criminal defendants. The efficacy of this approach will likely be measured by its impact on local solicitation metrics and the disruption of trafficking networks. It is important to note that all individuals charged in these operations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
