A Michigan man has been arrested after authorities allege he groomed a pregnant woman, kidnapped her over a three-week period and then trafficked her to another country.
In the wake of being kicked out of her home during Thanksgiving week, Michael Barajas, 36, offered the 22-year-old victim a place to stay
In addition to the human trafficking charges he faces, he was also charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, possession of methamphetamine, ecstasy and cathinone, according to court records.
A Genesee County Sheriff said Barajas sexually assaulted the woman repeatedly and locked her in a bedroom rather than offering comfort.
Deputy Swanson said he remains hopeful that others involved in the people who imprisoned Swanson and sexually assaulted her can be found. The investigation remains open in his view.
A probable cause conference will be held in court for Barajas on Dec. 22 at 11 a.m., court records indicate. He remains in jail on a $250,000 cash bond, Swanson said.
It was not possible to obtain the contact information for the public defender representing Barajas in Genessee County.