Sterling Heights man accused of human trafficking in Oakland County

A Sterling Heights man is going through felony prices in Oakland County for alleged human trafficking.

Jacob Michael Nelson, 39, is charged with working a human trafficking group, accepting proceeds from prostitution and transporting an individual for the aim of prostitution. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Workplace alleges Nelson compelled his sufferer to have intercourse for cash with shoppers he solicited on-line — and made her use Adderall and methamphetamine so she may serve extra shoppers. He’s additionally accused of beating her when she refused intercourse work.

The arraignment is pending in Troy’s 52-4 District Courtroom.

The prostitution-related prices Nelson faces carry a most jail sentence of 20 years. Working a human trafficking enterprise carries a jail sentence of as much as 15 years.

The prosecutor’s workplace stated Nelson’s case is the thirty fourth human trafficking case for which it has filed prices since partnering with native legislation enforcement final November to prepare anti-trafficking coaching, and the 73rd case for which it has filed prices since establishing a human trafficking unit in 2021. Earlier than the human trafficking unit was created, solely 5 instances had been charged previously 9 years, the prosecutor’s workplace stated.

“Human trafficking has continued to fester in our communities for too lengthy,” prosecutor Karen McDonald stated in a information launch. “From my first day in workplace, we’ve got made the battle in opposition to human trafficking a precedence. The outcomes are clear: traffickers are held accountable in Oakland County and victims are given assist to flee cycles of abuse and manipulation.”

Oakland County jail information present Nelson additionally has an lively case in Pontiac for home violence, and probation violation prices have been filed in Oakland County Circuit Courtroom. Courtroom information present his felony historical past consists of convictions for home violence, assault and interfering with a communications machine.

Initially printed: October 8, 2025 at 12:48 PM EDT