Warren resident James Madison-Cranford, age 30, has been sentenced to a prison term of 7-40 years for crimes related to human trafficking a minor, including running a commercial sexual operation. As reported by Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel, he will also be listed as a sex offender after his release from the Michigan Department of Corrections. The announcement on June 25 revealed that Madison-Cranford pled guilty in May to several charges.

These serious charges involved the usage of an online platform to sell sex with a minor and the orchestration of meetings, as well as taking the proceeds. Madison-Cranford's list of convictions is extensive, carrying a weight of seven different counts ranging from human trafficking to assault. According to a statement obtained by the Department of Attorney General's website, his previous incarceration was due to accepting earnings from prostitution.

The FBI's Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force first unearthed the case, which delved into the complex world of human trafficking that plague our society. The Attorney General emphasized the horrific nature of human trafficking—it crosses territorial divides and infiltrates communities, leaving Michigan not immune to its reaches. Nessel's office and the state's Human Trafficking Commission are rigorously working towards stifling the criminal network and its perpetrators, vowing to implement the full breadth of the law in their prosecutions.

Nessel lauded the court's decision for its severity, a move she thinks will serve as a potent deterrent for future offenders. "Human trafficking is a pervasive and horrific problem everywhere, and tragically Michigan is no exception," Nessel said.“But it is also a severely punishable criminal offense, and I am grateful to the Court for handing down a significant sentence in this case. My office, through our work on the state’s Human Trafficking Commission, and in our prosecutions, remains committed to holding traffickers and those who exploit children accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Further action and initiatives by the office can be explored through the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission.