DETROIT — Special agents, task force officers and support personnel with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Detroit, in partnership with the Taylor Police Department and other federal, state and local agencies, conducted a child exploitation and human trafficking operation focused on catching predators and identifying possible victims of trafficking from April 24-27.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team effort for this operation,” said HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson. “Not only were these teams able to identify and provide victims with services, but they were also able to take some dangerous alleged predators off the streets of southeastern Michigan. These partnerships should serve as an example to the communities we serve of the impactful work we can accomplish when law enforcement works together at every level.”
The following people were arrested:
- Ryan Richard Davis, 44, on charges of child sexually abusive activity and accosting children for immoral purposes.
- Craig William Newby, 30, on charges of child sexually abusive activity and accosting children for immoral purposes.
- Austin Sheldon, 24, on charges of child sexually abusive activity and accosting children for immoral purposes.
The operation also led to the encounter of 15 potential adult victims of human trafficking investigations, which remain ongoing at this time.
“This coordinated effort underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society. Through strategic partnerships and diligent investigative work, we have disrupted criminal networks engaged in these reprehensible activities,” said Taylor Police Chief John Blair. “Utilizing cutting-edge technology, our agencies were able to document and track each step in the process of apprehending these predators. The improvement in newly acquired technology has vastly enhanced our ability to swiftly respond to emerging threats and hold offenders accountable.”
“It is alleged that all three defendants charged by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office engaged in chats believing they were in contact with underage youths arranging to meet in person to engage in sex acts,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “These alleged sexual predators pose a real danger to our community. As a result of the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies working together, these defendants will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This operation was made possible through the combined efforts of HSI Detroit Metro Airport, the Taylor Police Department, HSI DHS Alliance Task Force, the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, HSI Cleveland Internet Crimes Against Children and Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office Task Force Officers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and multiple local community partners focused on assisting victims.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
To learn more on HSI Detroit’s mission to keep communities in Michigan and Ohio safe, follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @HSIDetroit.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce consists of over 10,000 employees, assigned to 235 offices within the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI's international presence represents the Department of Homeland Security’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.