Man Held Woman in Chains, Sold Others in Sex Trade: Feds

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WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI – Police in West Bloomfield Township pursuing leads in an identity theft investigation busted open a sex trafficking operation in which a woman had been chained by the neck to a stripper pole for two weeks, according to federal court documents.

Ryon Travis, 32, of Detroit, was arraigned in U.S. District Court Monday on one count each of sex trafficking by coercion and producing, possessing and transporting child pornography, charges that could send him to prison for anywhere from 15 years to life.

U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade told the Detroit Free Press that “using people as commercial commodities” is more common than many people realize.

“Sex trafficking occurs all around us, and the victims are sometimes hiding in plain sight,” McQuade said. “The victims often feel powerless to flee because the trafficker exerts power over them — physical violence, threats, drugs, fear of arrest — or even shame.”

On March 21, authorities served a second warrant at the property. This time, they found a 25-year-old woman tethered by heavy chains to the stripper pole. When questioned by police about the reason for the restraints, Travis allegedly said he planned to “get freaky with her," according to court documents.

Multiple pictures of an adult male having sex with a young girl were found on confiscated phones the women said belonged to Travis, and evidence collected at the house suggested the acts took place there, according to court documents.

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Authorities allege Travis advertised women for sale on the internet, and men would come to his house in Detroit and pick one they liked, paying Travis in advance.

The woman in chains, who Travis referred to as one of his four wives, told federal authorities she had been beaten and held in bondage for about two weeks because she had tried to escape. She had reportedly lived with him and the three other “wives” for two years.

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