WAYLAND, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Two West Michigan residents have pleaded guilty to human trafficking charges. And one of them is on their way to prison for up to 15 years.
52-year-old Robert Grigsby of Wayland and 40-year-old Vanessa Anne Phillips of Grand Rapids were arraigned on March 26th of 2021 for allegedly conducting a criminal enterprise of prostitution and sex trafficking of numerous women in Grigsby’s home in Wayland, and other locations throughout the greater Grand Rapids area.
The Department of Attorney General worked alongside Wayland Police to charge the couple in conducting the criminal enterprise.
“Our partnerships with local law enforcement agencies like the Wayland Police Department make it possible to pursue these predators wherever they are operating in Michigan,” Said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “My office will continue to investigate and hold accountable anyone who tries to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit.”
The Michigan Attorney General reporting that both the defendants pleaded guilty to one count of human trafficking, forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity.
“Through law enforcement collaboration, criminal enterprises that choose to set up in small towns can still be brought to justice,” said Wayland Police Chief Mark Garnsey. “I believe this is the result the citizens of Wayland have been waiting for. Thanks to the Human Trafficking Task Force, consisting of the Department of Attorney General, Michigan State Police and the FBI, we were able to bring a great resolution to this case.”
Grigsby was sentenced on Monday in Allegan County Circuit Court to 57 months to 15 years in prison. Phillips is due to be sentenced on March 28th. Wayland Police began their investigation into the human trafficking operation in October of 2018.
