An Allen Park man was arraigned Monday on multiple felonies in connection with an alleged human trafficking and prostitution operation based out of a Southgate home he owned.
Michael Richard Navoy, 70, was arrested Friday by Michigan State Police (MSP) detectives, following an investigation that began in October in Maumee, Ohio. Authorities allege Navoy was involved in trafficking and exploiting women for forced labor and commercial sexual activity. The investigation, which involves multiple law-enforcement agencies, is ongoing.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the charges, which include:
Accepting earnings of a prostitute (up to 20 years in prison)
Human trafficking – forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity (up to 15 years in prison)
Human trafficking – forced labor (up to 10 years in prison)
Using a computer to commit the crime of forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity (10–20 years in prison)
Keeping a house of prostitution (up to 5 years in prison)
“It is alleged that Defendant Navoy engaged in human trafficking and operating a house of prostitution in Southgate, Michigan,” Worthy said. “As a result of the combined efforts of multiple law-enforcement agencies, this defendant will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Navoy was arraigned in 28th District Court in Southgate, where he was issued a $1 million cash bond. He is scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause conference on Dec. 20, with a preliminary examination set for Dec. 27. Further evidence and details will be presented during those proceedings.
Authorities have not released additional information about the victims or the full scope of the operation, citing the ongoing investigation.
Navoy’s arrest came on the same day Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges in connection with an international human trafficking ring that allegedly forced women of Chinese and Korean origin into sexual exploitation at illicit massage parlors across Wayne and Macomb counties.
