MSP Reminds Residents ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ Following Trafficking Arrest

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — Michigan State Police officers converged on a Crawford County home Friday and arrested James Jarrell and Jeffrey Kobel, two men police said are accused of holding a woman prisoner.

“She’d been there for a few days and she believed her life was in imminent danger she believed she was going to be murdered,” Michigan State Public Information Officer Lt. Derrick Carroll said. “She took an opportunity when she saw the door and she thought she could make her move, that’s when she ran outside of the home and stole the vehicle.”

Michigan State Police said the two 50-year old men met the woman through an acquaintance and brought the woman to northern Michigan from Ypsilanti.

“We have a woman who’s brought up here for the sole purpose of prostitution human trafficking,” Carroll said. “She was a victim so if you don’t think this is going to happen in northern Michigan or around the country, you’re wrong and everyone should look for the signs. “She convinced them to stop at a rest area as her intention at that time was to flee, however, one of the men followed her to the restroom and waited outside the door and walked her back to the vehicle.”

Kristi Cogswell works at the Woman’s Resource Center in Traverse City and she said awareness on human trafficking is important.

To read the full article by Kathryn Halvorsen on Up North Live: Click Here

Category: Awareness, Law Enforcement