A Warren man is facing serious charges after authorities claim he managed a human trafficking operation from behind bars. According to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, 33-year-old Ryan Ramone Wafford was charged with two counts of human trafficking and one count of prostitution/accepting earnings, as Audacy reports.
While serving time in Oakland County Jail for a parole violation, Wafford allegedly orchestrated the ring using jailhouse communication tools, including phones, tablets, and video calls. This information, stated by the sheriff's office, emerged after an investigation led by the Oakland County Human Trafficking Task Force, according to FOX 2 Detroit. Having firearms inside his house at the time of his arrest, sheriff's officials said that they were also found at the scene.
An Oakland County SWAT team apprehended Wafford at his residence last Thursday, where it was reported by CBS News Detroit that one of his alleged victims was present with her child during the arrest. Wafford's prior criminal history includes convictions for delivery and manufacturing a controlled substance, felony retail fraud, and carrying a concealed weapon, with a record dating back to 2012.
"Even while in custody on unrelated charges, the suspect continued trying to direct and control others," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. This citation of determined work by investigators was related by FOX 2 Detroit. They were able to "rescue individuals from human trafficking." Wafford, who was previously released on unrelated charges before this investigation, was given a $250,000 bond upon arraignment.
