Great Lakes Wire

LANSING – Today, James Madison-Cranford, 30, of Warren, pled guilty in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County to human trafficking a minor, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, "The exploitation of a minor is an extremely abhorrent act, and I am relieved that traffickers are being held accountable."

Madison-Cranford admitted to various charges, including Human Trafficking of a Minor for Commercial Sexual Activity, Accepting Earnings from Prostitution, Transporting a Person for the Purpose of Prostitution, Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, Criminal Sexual Conduct 3rd Degree, Assault by Strangulation, and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.

In 2017, Madison-Cranford, who is currently incarcerated with the Michigan Department of Corrections, was found to have created an online account offering for sale sex with a minor, facilitated logistics for the “dates” for that minor, and took possession of the money paid to her. He also forced her to perform sex acts on himself and used violence to get the minor to submit. This case was initially investigated by the FBI’s Southeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes (SEMTEC) Task Force.

Madison-Cranford will also be required to register as a Sex Offender upon discharge from the Michigan Department of Corrections. Sentencing is scheduled for June 25th at 12:15 p.m. before Judge Cheryl A. Matthews in the 6th Circuit Court, who will determine his length of incarceration at sentencing.

Information on Attorney General Nessel's Human Trafficking Initiative and the Michigan Human Trafficking Commission can be found on the Department of Attorney General's website.